BP Oil Spill – Why We Should Utilize Alternative Forms Of Energy

BP Oil Spill

On April 20, 2010, BP’s Deepwater Horizon drilling rig exploded, leading to one of the worst disasters the United States has ever faced.  Approximately 840,000 gallons of crude oil is leaking into the Gulf of Mexico every day and efforts to stop the flow of oil have failed at every turn.  The ecological and economic consequences of this spill are devastating and will be felt for generations to come.  BP and other oil companies are not equipped to handle spills of this magnitude and while they scramble to find ways to stop the flow of oil, the destruction mounts.

Alternative Forms Of Energy

Why are we still so dependent on fossil fuels when there are other alternative forms of energy that are safer to use, have little or no impact on our environment, and are free – such as solar power and wind power?  While there is an initial cost for the equipment to generate solar energy and wind power, once you are hooked up, the energy you create is free and it comes from a source that cannot be exhausted.  It doesn’t require drilling into the earth to reach the source and it doesn’t emit tons of harmful gases into the atmosphere every day.

The idea of using solar power or wind power is not new.  However, as the cost of energy derived from fossil fuels continues to rise and as we face the reality of disasters such as the once caused by the BP oil spill, we begin to understand how important it is to implement safer and cleaner ways to supply energy to our homes and businesses.

Convenience is always a factor when it comes to switching from one type of energy to another.  We’re all connected to the electric grid and on top of electricity, many people use oil or gas to heat their homes.  We are used to having the utility companies supply energy to our homes and we willingly pay the costs for this convenience.  However, as energy costs continue to rise we complain constantly, yet continue to allow ourselves to pay more and more each year for dirty energy.  There is an alternative wherein each of us could generate our own free energy, yet very few of us take advantage of it.

Technology continues to advance in leaps and bounds and tapping into renewable energy resources is not as far-fetched or costly as it once was.  We get to choose which type of energy we want to use in our homes and businesses and if we continue to allow ourselves to be dependent on energy derived from fossil fuels, then it is highly likely that we will face more disasters in the future such as the one caused by the BP oil spill.

Choosing renewable energies is a smart choice not only because it saves money, but because it’s clean and safe.  As more and more people choose clean energy, our dependence on fossil fuels diminishes.

Solar Energy For Homes

There’s good news for those who claim there’s nothing new under the sun when it comes to saving on energy bills. Experts say new benefits and current conditions are making solar energy systems a practical reality for a growing number of homeowners.

With rising energy prices and concerns for the environment and about national security, homeowners are looking at solar energy options. Federal tax credits, plus some state and local incentives, encourages adopting solar systems. The government offers a tax credit for a percentage of the cost of a solar electric or solar water heating system.  These credits make solar energy systems a feasible solution for hot water heating and electricity production. Many homeowners already benefit from solar heating for their pools and spas without government incentives.

“As awareness grows, along with summer air-conditioning bills, we expect thousands more to consider their solar options,” says Brad Collins, executive director of the American Solar Energy Society, based in Boulder, Colorado. “With continued rising energy costs, consumer interest in clean, renewable energy from secure U.S. energy sources, and federal tax incentives, we believe more homeowners and business owners will look for sustainable alternatives,” he adds.

In most states, another advantage of solar electric systems (also called photovoltaic or PV) is the option to send excess energy back to your local utility grid. For example, if you are a residential customer, your system may generate more electricity than you need during the day when your family is away at work and at school. Net metering allows you to send this excess electricity to the grid, spinning your meter backwards, and reducing or offsetting the electricity you use at other times.

Today, solar energy equipment is high quality and reliable; it is backed by warranties from large, reputable firms and installed by experienced contractors. There are also many resources to learn more about solar energy.

“FindSolar.com is a great starting place to learn more about solar energy and to assess the options for your own particular home or building,” says Julia Judd, executive director of the Washington, D.C.-based Solar Electric Power Association. “With minimal inputs, including your state, county, utility, and typical monthly energy bill, the site provides you with estimates of system size, costs, savings and other benefits.”

The Benefits Of Using Residential Solar Energy

Utilizing solar energy or the power coming from the sun’s rays has many benefits. Let us take a closer look at each of them.
•Solar energy saves money.
Residential electric rates are on the rise and many experts agree that the trend will likely to continue in the years to come. This means that you have to [...]

see full article

Alternative Home Energy

Types of Alternative Home Energy
The cost of home energy consumption is one of the main problems people face today. The fact is, we all need electricity to power our lives. We need the level of civilization that can be provided by electricity. However, most people think that the price they pay is just too much [...]

see full article

Residential Solar Energy – The Future of Generating Energy For The Home

Solar energy for residential homes is nothing new. It has just been relegated to the background in lieu of rising cost of real estate, newer more advanced building materials, design and the limitation of resources.
Since man started building homes, sunlight played a major influence in the design. In fact, even in the more advanced urban [...]

see full article

Heating Water Using Solar Power

When you decide to convert your main power source over to solar power you will need to make some adjustments to the appliances that carry the power source. When you use solar power to heat your water, you may find that you will need to purchase a solar powered water heater in order to [...]

see full article

Wind Power as a Viable Solution to Meeting Alternative Energy Needs

Although it is much less expensive to initially get hooked into the local electric company’s grid than it is to set up and hook into wind turbines, in the long run you can save money by utilizing the wind for your energy needs while also becoming more independent. Not receiving an electric bill while enjoying [...]

see full article

Sustainable Power Of The Wind

With so much talk about environmental damage, dwindling fossil fuels, and sky rocketing oil and energy prices it is now clear that we must look for alternative energy resources that will be able to supply our endless needs without the possibility of it being exhausted.
A Brief Lesson in History
A sustainable energy source since ancient times, [...]

see full article

Solar Energy – A Sustainable Power Is Harnessed

Since ancient times the sun was considered as a source of energy: spiritual and other wise. It is so sad to find out that in fact only 10% of solar energy is actually used. Perhaps if we are more aware of its use and its capacity as a sustainable power then maybe we will be [...]

see full article

Facts About Solar Energy and Solar Power Plants

The earth receives more than enough energy from the sun in an hour to supply the world’s energy requirement for the whole year.
Unfortunately, only a tiny portion of it is harnessed and the world still relies on power plants that burn fossil fuels. The good thing, though, is that there is a [...]

see full article