ADVANTAGES

• The sun's energy is free to use, which makes the process cheaper.
• The process is completely non-polluting.
• Can be used in a wide variety of locations the world over. Wherever there is sun.

DISADVANTAGES

• Cost of the panels and equipment is expensive. This will, however, become cheaper in time.
• Can only work when the sun is available; therefore weather dependant.

WHAT IS WIND POWER?

Wind power is when we covert the power of the wind, physical energy, to more useful types of energy. The most common type of energy it is converted to is electricity.

A wind farm is a large area of land on which there are a number of wind turbines generating electricity, as a power plant does. When creating a wind farm one must make sure that the spacing between the turbine is sufficient as not to cause energy/wind loss.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

The most common type of energy generated from wind is electrical energy. This is by making the use of an electrical generator which is turned by turbine blades which are turned by the wind and thereby turning the turbine, creating electricity.

IS IT RENEWABLE?

Yes, as we find wind throughout the world and the minimum wind speed needed is from 16km/h upwards. The wind needs to have a constant speed, should be non-turbulent and must not be subject to strong bursts of air. The wind also blows faster the higher into the atmosphere you go. That is why most wind farms are found quite high up.

APPLICATIONS OF WIND ENERGY

You get three types of wind farms:

• On Shore
• Near Shore
• Off Shore