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Posted by: Scott on 2010-04-29, 22:44:55
I may have misread your question, sorry if I did. There is no energy savings by using an alternative source. Most of the alternative sources are in fact MORE expensive. People choose to pay more for solar, wind, and other alternative sources...a lot more in some cases. As alternative energies become more efficient and cost effective they replace fossil fuels more and more, but there is still a cost to the production of the PV cells and wind turbines...lots of metal, and lots of composites including plastics, in relation to the power they produce. Energy savings comes from conservation and increasing efficiency. Right now, renewable energy accounts for about 7 percent of US energy consumption. Most of the 7 percent is Hydro-electric and wood burning. |
