SolarPowerNerd
Most people have a general idea about the benefits of renewable energy resources, but a few of these points rarely get the attention they deserve. Here are seven that matter most.
1. Renewable Energy Creates Jobs
One of the biggest contributions of renewable energy to society is the creation of new jobs. Wind turbines and solar panel systems currently provide almost 10 million jobs worldwide.
In 2017 alone, over five hundred thousand new positions were added to the sector.
There will be considerable growth in the renewable energy sector, creating more jobs worldwide. The jobs range from marketing to manufacturing, installation, and sales.
In 2016, the United States had over 500 companies manufacturing parts for solar and wind-based plants. The industry produces a ripple effect, creating jobs across the supply chain and in related fields.
All kinds of skills are needed to move global society from fossil fuels to renewables, so there is room for everyone.
2. Renewable Energy is a Major Economy Boost
Renewable energy delivers a clear benefit to the economy. In Saudi Arabia, almost a third of the fossil fuel produced is used to power the country’s own homes and businesses.
A less expensive, more effective method of power generation is a strong alternative.
Renewable energy sources generally require little maintenance, and any excess energy produced can be stored safely for later use. That ability cuts the cost of generating power significantly.
In the United States, almost 13 billion dollars worth of investments were channeled into the renewable energy sector. A UCS analysis found that if the 25 by 2025 policy takes effect, it would stimulate over $263.4 billion in capital investments and create substantial revenue for landowners.
The sector will also produce taxable income for local governments and communities.
3. Renewable Energy is Affordable
Renewable energy is affordable energy, and this is one of its most significant advantages. Wind turbines and solar panel plants require substantial upfront capital, but once production begins, maintenance and ongoing costs become incredibly low.
Because the fuels that clean energy technology relies on are free, the price of the electricity produced stays stable. Unlike fossil fuels, clean energy is not subject to market price swings.
The cost of electricity from clean energy plants has continued to decline and will keep falling as new technology emerges. Wind production costs dropped 66 percent from 2009 to 2016, and similar price reductions are expected across other clean energy sources.
4. Renewable Energy is a Healthy Option
Beyond the economics, renewable energy is healthy for people and the planet. Without emissions from coal and natural gas plants, the air is generally much cleaner to breathe.
Adopting renewable energy means reducing the risk of cancer, respiratory infections, heart attacks, and other medical issues tied directly or indirectly to fossil fuel pollution. A Harvard University study reveals that the public health effects of coal alone amounted to over 74.6 billion every year.
Renewable energy sources can cut the dependency of power plants on coal and gas, which are major pollutants of air and water. Waste materials from traditional energy sources also harm the ecosystem.
Solar, wind, and other renewable sources produce almost no waste, making them both health-friendly and safe.
5. Renewable Energy Will Help Save The Planet
Renewable energy is one of the most direct solutions to the global warming challenge. Human emissions overload the environment with carbon dioxide, which traps heat and drives climate change.
The result has been a significant increase in storms, torrential rainfall, and extreme heat.
With a conscious effort from humanity, nature can repair itself. There is no better way to achieve this than through the adoption of renewable energy sources.
In 2009, a UCS analysis discovered that if a 25 by 2025 renewable energy standard were adopted, CO2 emission would be lowered by 277 metric tons annually. Renewable energy presents a clear path for the world to stop burning natural gas for electricity.
6. Renewable Energy Is Very Reliable
Renewable energy is extremely reliable, and its low maintenance cost makes it easy to handle whatever damage may occur. Major producers use distributed and modular systems to generate energy.
Distributed systems spread out over vast areas, while modular systems consist of individual wind turbines or solar setups.
Unlike hydroelectric or coal plants, renewable energy systems do not depend on other parts of a grid to produce energy. This is especially useful after natural disasters. The ability to swiftly repair damages at minimal cost makes the sector extraordinarily flexible.
During Hurricane Sandy, fossil fuel power plants were damaged while renewable energy projects in the same area were only minimally affected and continued to generate power.
Renewable energy is also reliable because it does not depend on scarce resources. Most fossil-fuel-powered plants require water to cool their machines, but renewable energy plants do not need large quantities of water for cooling.
Combined with their storage capacity, this makes renewable plants a better option in most situations.
7. Renewable Energy Is Inexhaustible
Renewable energy cannot be exhausted. It relies on sunny skies, moving water, wind, and plant matter, all things the world never runs short of.
Although renewable sources do not yet constitute a major part of the energy sector, the effects of global warming make it essential to develop energy that does not damage the atmosphere. Fossil fuels will eventually run out, and as they do, their cost will climb.
Without renewable energy as an alternative, the cost of electricity could become extremely steep.
8. Renewable Energy Can Operate Independently
One downside of renewable energy is that it depends on weather conditions. However, it also gives energy independence to households and communities.
Rather than depending on a national grid, individuals can now handle their own energy needs.
This is especially useful in areas where it is difficult to receive a reliable supply of energy due to weather or geography. Instead of relying on electricity providers, homeowners can generate and store power for times when the grid is unavailable.
More advanced grid systems allow owners of renewable energy sources to feed excess power into a central grid and earn money in return. Setting up a home renewable energy source is not a major challenge for most homeowners.
Having solar panels installed on your roof gives you the ability to generate your own electricity, and batteries allow homes to store excess energy for cloudy or rainy days.
9. Renewable Energy is Eco-Friendly
If you love nature, renewable energy allows you to participate directly in preserving the ecosystem. Unlike traditional power generation, renewable energy does not significantly affect the natural ecosystem.
Dams were once viewed as a necessity for hydroelectric power, but the damage from blocking rivers has harmed the animals and habitats that depend on natural water flow. For people passionate about wildlife, renewable energy sources are a practical solution.
Renewable energy has developed well beyond solar and wind. Wave and tidal technology can now generate hydroelectric power without disrupting rivers or major bodies of water.
With marine renewable energy already producing over 500 megawatts, the right investments could unlock far more capacity. Even outdoor solar lighting is a small but meaningful step homeowners can take.
10. Renewable Energy Can Be a Supplementary Power Source
An often overlooked benefit of renewable energy is its ability to supplement traditional power sources. From 2001 to 2017, global wind energy production grew from 23,900 megawatts to 539,000 megawatts.
Those numbers have helped close significant gaps in the energy sector.
Renewable energy projects like these are essential for generating enough power to sustain a growing population. A closer look at the sector reveals that renewable energy is a practical answer to some of the biggest challenges we face, from affordability to public health to environmental protection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is renewable energy really cheaper than fossil fuels?
In many regions, yes. The upfront cost of building solar or wind installations can be high, but ongoing operating costs are far lower because the fuel is free.
Over the lifetime of a system, renewable energy often beats fossil fuels on total cost. As technology continues to improve, the gap keeps widening in favor of renewables.
How reliable is solar energy on cloudy days?
Solar panels still produce electricity on overcast days, though at reduced output. Modern battery storage systems allow homeowners to save excess power generated on sunny days for use when skies are gray.
Grid-tied systems can also pull from the utility grid as a backup. The combination of storage and grid access makes solar a dependable option in most climates.
Can one household really make a difference by switching to renewable energy?
Every household that switches to renewable energy removes demand from fossil fuel plants and lowers overall emissions. Collectively, millions of small-scale solar installations have a measurable impact on carbon output.
Homeowners also benefit financially through lower electricity bills and, in some areas, credits for feeding excess power back into the grid.
What is the biggest environmental benefit of renewable energy?
The most significant environmental benefit is the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Fossil fuel power plants release carbon dioxide and other pollutants that drive climate change, degrade air quality, and contaminate water supplies.
Renewable sources like solar and wind produce electricity with virtually zero emissions. Switching to renewables directly addresses the root cause of global warming.
Final Thoughts
By adopting a global strategy to develop renewable energy technology, we protect the planet while building a more resilient economy. The benefits stretch from job creation and lower energy costs to cleaner air and energy independence for individual households.
Renewable energy will reduce carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to the sustainable development of the planet. The transition is already well underway, and every step forward, from large-scale wind farms to a single rooftop solar installation, brings us closer to a cleaner future.
