Similarities and Differences Between Solar and Wind Power and Between the Methods of Storing Excess Power

In this day and age, there is a growing demand trend for energy resources, “go green” becomes evidently important. Therefore, renewable energy is fine option to help decreasing the soaring demand of energy and promoting sustainable living. One of the renewable energy is wind power. Jack (1981) states that wind power is the wind has been harnessed to provide mechanical power for grain grinding, sawmill operation, and even driving a washing machine. Also, solar energy could help too. Rebecca (2010) defines solar energy as the sun's rays, also known as solar radiation, that reach the Earth which can then be converted into other forms of energy, like heat and electricity. Wind and solar power share similar purpose and characteristics, but they differ in efficiency and methods of storing excess power.

First, Wind and solar power share a similar purpose. Installing these powers could reduce the consumption of fossil fuels and pollution so as to achieve the ultimate goal of promoting sustainable life style. Today a report from WWF claims that Europe could be generating more than 40% of its energy from renewable sources by 2030. John (2013) reveals the energy sector is responsible for more than a quarter of all greenhouse gas output and transforming it is essential to getting the emission reductions we need. So, wind and solar power both decrease the usage of fossil fuels and carbon emission to protect the environment.

Second, wind and solar energy have similarities in characteristics. Both energies are kinds of stable resources and the cleanest energies. As for wind energy, the blades on the turbine are lifted by wind. Then the blades turn a shaft that turns the electromagnet inside to generate electricity. As for solar energy, the photovoltaic cells absorb photons from sunlight, then energy is stored in solar panels for citizens’ use. Therefore, from the production of energy, once they receive the sunrays or wind speed, wind and solar power can produce energy environmentally friendly, without damaging the ecological system.

However, both renewable energies may also differ in efficiency. As we all know, to produce renewable energy, we need to build several infrastructures, such as the wind turbines. Considering the efficiency of both energies, a statistic result can show the difference. As for a project of cape wind, the space it needs is 25 sq. miles and the energy it produced is 468MW. Therefore, it reveals that the energy per space is 18.72 MW/sq. miles. While the project of solar ranch, the space it needs is 2.34 sq. miles and the energy it produced is 250 MV. Therefore, it shows that the energy per space is 106.8MV/sq. miles. From the result, it shows that solar power is highly efficient than the wind power.

Lastly, there are different methods of storing excess energy. Firstly, it is pumped hydro energy storage. Excess electricity pumps water from a low to high reservoir.