Cons Of Renewable Energy

Over 2000 years ago, the Greeks were among the first to experiment with the use of renewable energy. They extensively used water wheels and other forms of hydropower and even used geothermal energy to heat their homes. Since then, the human race has expanded on this principle through other forms of renewable resources such as the wind and sun, but people have also strayed from their humble beginning by introducing forms of energy such as oil and coal, that are nonrenewable. Today, over 70% of the world’s energy consumption is from nonrenewable resources or fossil fuels. Fossil fuels are animal remains that have been compressed for thousands of years with constant temperature, creating organic fuel. Humans have not used these resources extensively

Star Energy Partners stated that “renewable energy offers stable prices and a clean, continual source of energy. Renewable energy is dependable” (“Pros and Cons”). Unlike fossil fuels, renewable energy prices do not fluctuate like their counterparts. As deposits of oil and coal run out, prices will go up as they begin to search for new plants. Most oil sight reserves only last about 25 to 30 years, and then they have to move to a new location (“Non-Renewable”). Due to the constant search for energy, prices of nonrenewable energy is never constant unlike renewable. Subblefield outlines that “hydroelectricity is sustainable, since it is ultimately a product of the water cycle… long after fossil fuels are gone, the forces that make hydroelectricity possible will still be continuing on the Earth.” Renewable energy is also more efficient than coal. For example, “of all the energy released by burning coal… only about 40 percent is turned into electricity; the rest is wasted up the chimney as heat. A further 5 percent or so is lost in power lines; only about 35 percent reaches end uses and can be counted as final energy consumption” (“Alternative”). This means that out of all the money spent creating this power, only 35% of the expense is balanced out with a an energy component. In addition to the expenses that nonrenewable energy brings, renewable energy is cost effective. Findings from Eco Watch show “the price of solar photovoltaic panels has declined 99 percent over the last four decades, from $74 a watt in 1972 to less than 70 cents a watt in 2014” (“7 facts”). As years pass, one can detect how the use of renewable energy continues to become more attractive in comparison to