The Advantages and Disadvantages of Renewable Energy

Probably the best thing about renewable energy is that there is an infinite source. Since these types of energy are powered by natural sources in the environment, they will never ever run out. People can use renewable energy continuously and the source will replenish itself. For example, with solar energy, it does not matter how many solar panels are used in buildings or skyscrapers because there will be unlimited supply as long as the sun keeps on shining. This is what makes it sustainable.

Fossil fuel supply, on the other hand, is finite. This means that it will run out and will not last forever. As the term “fossil” implies, these fuels began to form hundreds of millions of years ago. With the rise of industrialisation and technology, man started to consume an incredible amount of the discovered fossil fuel sources in just over 200 years, compared to earlier years of civilisation that did not consume much of these fuels.

According to estimates, oil and gas reserves will run out by 2052, while coal will run out in 2088. Even if new reserves are discovered, they will not last forever, especially as newly discovered ones are much smaller than previously found.

The obvious positive effect of using renewable energy is to the environment. Renewable energy is clean energy with no direct impact to the Earth. The carbon emissions produced by solar and wind energy, the two most common sources of renewable energy in the UK, are amazingly low and insignificant. In contrast, excessive use of fossil fuels is the major cause of why the CO2 levels in the atmosphere is very high.

Applying a renewable energy solution is a great way to increase a property’s energy efficiency rating. For new and existing buildings, this will ensure that they will be able to meet minimum MEES requirements and could also benefit on an economic level.

According to a study, having a high EPC rating can increase a property’s value. Based on property prices in England, it has been found that there is a noticeable correlation between a stronger EPC rating and a higher property price. A property owner that raises its property rating from EPC G to A could potentially increase the value of the said property by as much as 14%.

The world’s supply of fossil fuels are only controlled by a handful of countries. This is the reason why these energy sources are so expensive. Renewable energy sources are total game changers because it can lead to energy independence.

For many buildings, electricity costs can amount to a large chunk of a property’s utility expenses. By self-generating electricity, these expenses can be converted into savings that can be routed to other areas. The cost of renewable energy is also more stable than fossil fuel costs. For example, solar panels normally last for more than 25 years which means owners can protect themselves from rising energy expenses for a lengthy period of time.

The technology required to generate renewable energy is typically more expensive than traditional generators. This is often a significant factor why many properties are still not actively implementing use of solar panels or wind turbines.

One unfortunate reality is that not all buildings can choose to make use of renewable energy as these sources tend to be location-specific. For example, installing solar panels requires ground or roof space with adequate sun exposure; while wind power usually only works in open areas that meet the required wind conditions.