Alternative Energy Sources
WIND POWER - The use of wind turbines to harness wind and convert it into electricity. It is a clean energy source, that once turbines are built is quite inexpensive. At the moment it generates barely one percent of the world's electricity.
SOLAR ENERGY - Solar panels are used to harness the sun's heat, and photovoltaic cells which convert sunlight to electricity. Solar energy can be used in a variety of ways such as powering handheld devices or providing electricity for a whole city. Currently .5 percent of the worlds energy comes from solar power, but that number will increase as the price of PV cells goes down.
WATER POWER- Water is used to spin turbines and spin generator rotors to produce electricity. To do spin the turbines the water must have a lot of force. Water from a rivers is too weak. Usually huge dams are made to create more force. When electricity is made this way it is called HIP (hydroelectric power). Water power provides a fifth of the world's electricity. It is very expensive to set up more and find good areas but it is clean and cheap once it starts.
SOLAR ENERGY - Solar panels are used to harness the sun's heat, and photovoltaic cells which convert sunlight to electricity. Solar energy can be used in a variety of ways such as powering handheld devices or providing electricity for a whole city. Currently .5 percent of the worlds energy comes from solar power, but that number will increase as the price of PV cells goes down.
WATER POWER- Water is used to spin turbines and spin generator rotors to produce electricity. To do spin the turbines the water must have a lot of force. Water from a rivers is too weak. Usually huge dams are made to create more force. When electricity is made this way it is called HIP (hydroelectric power). Water power provides a fifth of the world's electricity. It is very expensive to set up more and find good areas but it is clean and cheap once it starts.