Argumentative Essay On Alternative Energy

The current generation uses electricity more than any previous generation. With the use of cell phones, cars, laptops, etc. energy is something that is used all twenty four hours of the day, this makes it easier for energy to be wasted. “The U.S. has an energy efficiency of 42 percent, which means 58 percent of all the energy we produce is wasted!” ( Battaglia, Sarah) There have been very creative ideas of evolving the currently used energy that is at this point depleting, but they have not been put into enough use. Electricity in this generation needs to become more clean and safe, but these attributes haven’t seemed to have been popularly supported. Some great ideas of alternative energies are solar power, wind energy, and hydroelectric power. “Solar-powered photovoltaic (PV) panels convert the sun 's rays into electricity by exciting electrons in silicon cells using the photons of light from the sun.” (NW Wind and Solar) These can be placed anywhere, but most are placed on roofs to create energy for homes or businesses. “Solar photovoltaic cells consist of a positive and a negative film of silicon placed under a thin slice of glass. As the photons of the sunlight beat down upon these cells, they knock the electrons off …show more content…
“Wind turbines turn in moving air and power an electric generator that supplies an electric current. The wind turns the blades, which spin a shaft, which connects to a generator and makes electricity.” (Wind Energy Basics) Two advantages of wind energy are no matter how much is used today the same amount will be around in the future, and it is a clean form of energy that won’t pollute the earth. Two disadvantages are the cost to create it is high and it creates some noise that could be a disturbance. “Today, wind power provides 1.8 percent of all the energy consumed in the United States.”