Contributed Post
There’s a lot of confusion surrounding renewable energy, and as a population, we just don’t seem to understand it all that well. We come to our own conclusions based on what we read in the media and hear from our friends. It’s not uncommon to hear different things from different people, and it’s difficult to know what to believe. Along the way, a variety of myths have been formed, and it’s time for us to debunk them today.
It’s Too Expensive
If you’ve ever had a discussion about renewable energy, this myth has properly entered it at some point or another. It’s commonly thought that renewable energy is simply too expensive to work with. But, while it was quite expensive technology a few years ago, the cost has dropped dramatically in the years since. A simply survey of Green Mountain Energy plans makes that clear. This particular energy provider serves many households across Texas and other US states but, if they don’t operate in your area, you can always shop around for similar renewable energy plans local to you. Everything from the cost of wind farms to home solar systems has become more affordable. Even so-called developing countries are now getting in on the act. Kenya’s renewable energy conference is a prime example of renewable energy’s growing popularity.
It’s Harmful To Wildlife
Wind turbines often come under a lot of pressure due to the concern for the wildlife surrounding them. Obviously, birds are at particular risk in a case like this, but the actual risks aren’t all that high. And, research projects are in place to protect birds by shutting down wind turbines when they get too near. Other complaints like noise pollution have failed to produce any real merit.
It Can’t Supply Electricity 24/7
Sure, renewable energy is great and everything, but what happens when the sun doesn’t shine? What happens when the wind doesn’t pick up? How do we get energy then? Well, both of these things actually compliment each other fairly well. We can produce wind energy at night and solar during the day in many cases. But, we also have technologies to store energy for later use. Additional renewable energy sources like hydropower can generate energy non-stop, too.
It Has Created 5 Million Jobs
This myth stems back to a quote made by President Obama back in 2009. It was an estimate that didn’t quite pay off, although there have been millions of green jobs created over the years. Still, renewable energy hasn’t quite sparked the job creation trend as much as some had hoped.
It’s Not In Demand Enough
Solar and wind aren’t necessarily the most popular sources of electricity out there, but they’re gaining steam. In time, we’ll come to accept them as the norm. Not only are general consumers starting to take advantage of solar power, but businesses are as well. A recent report mentioned that US retailer Target had 147.5 megawatts of installed solar capacity. According to the report, “7.3 million people visit a WalMart powered by solar”. That’s just one example, but it’s a clear indication that renewable energy is rapidly gaining in popularity
We haven’t exhausted all the renewable energy myths out there, and we can never predict what your mate might tell you! If you’re interested in getting involved, provide yourself with the facts before making a decision.
