PV Gap

Raymond Said:

what is the most and least expensive energy source? solar,wind or geothermal?

We Answered:

It totally depends on the scale and location.

What you need to understand is that if you double the amount of solar (PV) panels you get double the energy. If you double the size of a wind turbine blade you get FOUR times as much, and if you double the average wind speed you get EIGHT times as much. And Geothermal is still an emerging technology (compared to solar and wind anyway).

So BIG wind turbines on a very windy location is probably the best right now. But equally small domestic turbines are pretty... limited.

Scale and location are essential.

For example, on a domestic scale with good access to sunlight Solar is king. 3KW (enough for an average/good house) of solar is far easier and cheaper, and also far less likely to have visual and noise complications than wind. Geothermal on this scale is only really for heat exchangers (heating/cooling).

On a large scale with a windy location it's the reverse. Solar is more expensive in this case per MW (PV or Thermal). Geothermal on this scale is good but very limited location wise. But Geothermal can be very cost effective, and the ability to generate base load power is a huge positive for Geothermal as well.

As for least impact, I'd give a marginal nod to Geothermal on a large scale and Solar on a domestic scale. But that's just my opinion, and again is only if they're at the right location.

By the way, you left out lots of other renewable sources of energy. Any reason for that?... I think Biochar has a HUGE amount of potential, but only if the fuel for it is sourced correctly (wastes and specialist plantations on marginal dis-used farmland)

Hope that helps.

Dale Said:

How can solar energy save the earth and energy source that is currently being depleted?

We Answered:

Oil is being depleted. But the concept of peak oil suggests we may be reaching a point were less and less will be produced. It is not about to run out. Coal reserves in the US are estimated at several hundred years. Gas reserves in the US are also now estimated at several hundred years with new techniques and finds. All these resources are fixed. They are also like solar storage as the original source of power for all of them was the sun.

They also pollute the atmosphere when they are burned. So to keep the solar battery charged, to keep the chemicals locked up that would otherwise pollute our environment can't we get energy from the sun directly? Sure. But the concentration of energy in fuels has lead to the concentration of economic and political power as well. The concentration of economic and political power can be a tremendous force for good, but it is a force and it tends to be otherwise as self interest has less and less to check abuses.

It is possible that the pursuit of solar energy directly and not in its concentrated forms will lead to a more diffuse holding of economic and political power and in this way "save the Earth" and preserve the storage of chemicals in fossil fuels that are currently being used if not "depleted."
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Jerome Said:

How is Solar Energy Source used in todays world?

We Answered:

Solar powered Water heaters

Laurie Said:

what are apparent enviormental impacts associated with the solar energy source?

We Answered:

That is the way GOD set it up. The plants capture the energy from the sun and make it into oil & gas.All energy here on earth is from the sun.