Renewable Resources 🌲

Cost and Efficiency of Solar Power

Depending on the amount of solar panels, the cost of installing a solar panel system ranges from $3000 to $12000. The efficiency of the solar cell is the rate of which solar panels transfer the sunlight through the panels into electricity. The usual cell efficiency of a solar panel is around 15 to 22%. The level of efficiency varies, depending on the manufacturer. The higher the efficiency, the more solar power is produced.

Cost & Efficiency of Wind Power

Wind farms are very expensive to make. A 1000 mega-watts (MW) wind farm is $1750 million to establish all the turbines. Each turbine costs about $3.5 million. Generally, wind farms are about 20 to 45% efficient, but raise to 50% during peak wind times. Depending on the amount of time wind is blowing, it changes the reliability of the wind power efficiency.

Cost & Efficiency of Coal Power

Coal power is one of the least expensive options for power. Coal cost about $60 to $70 per pound. It is also reliable and energy efficient, but has several downsides. When coal is burnt, it can’t be reused like solar or wind. Also, the emissions from burning coal pollutes the atmosphere and is dangerous.

Why are we still using Coal Power?

Unfortunately, coal is more efficient than any of the renewable resources, making it more reliable. Also, coal is cheaper than solar or wind power. However, we can reduce the amount of coal used, by relying on the renewable energies, and decreasing the rate we consume coal power.