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How alternative energy works isn’t a new concept. In actual fact, people have been using hydro-power for over 2000 years to grind grain & power saw mills.

Hydro power is a form of alternative energy that uses running water to spin the turbines located inside a generator. How alternative energy works with water today is by using a dam to control the flow of water, depending on energy consumption needs. If more electricity is needed, workers can just open the flow of water to produce more electricity, or store up the water to use when more electricity is needed.

Most areas do not use hydro power because their streams & rivers are too small. Bigger hydroelectric power plants can be easily found on the west coast in California, Washington & Oregon. They have the convenience of having big mountain rivers. These hydroelectric plants provide enough electricity to power up millions of homes.

How alternative energy works with the sun is called solar power. Solar power can be often used as a heat source or a source to produce electricity. Many people use solar panels as a way to heat water for their home or to heat the air inside. When it’s used to produce electricity, it needs different wiring than regular electric making it a more expensive route. But it’s a possibility for producing our energy needs in the future… If you have ever used a solar powered calculator, you have used the same photovoltaic process that it takes to produce electricity from the sun.

How alternative energy works with the wind can be explained by examining a wind turbine. These big fans actually create electricity instead of using it… When the wind blows hard enough to turn the big fan blades, it will cause a turbine inside the generator to spin, producing electricity. Most wind powered turbines are placed in an area that is flat & has a normal wind speed of over 14 miles per hour. There’re even wind farms that have lots of enormous turbines to produce electricity. They then sell it to electric providers in the area.

Alternative energy in any form is good for our environment. Using alternative energy cuts down on the pollutants that are released into the air from burning fossil fuels. The use of alternative energy will help to keep our air & water clean for many years to come.

Read more about renewable energy at SolarCompanies.com

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