Sustainable

Energy
Jocelyn Ortiz
Research Question
Are wind turbines a more productive

way of producing sustainable energy

as opposed to solar panels?

01
Introduction
UNDERSTANDING THE PROBLEM
Non-renewable energy sources

Most energy comes from nonrenewable

sources such as fossil fuels, natural gas

and oils. These sources produce immense

amounts of air pollutants such as Sulfur

dioxide (SO2), CO2 emissions, acid rain

Woessnerthe, C. (2020). The Output of a Coal-Fired generating and the formation of harmful particulate
station in a Single Day [Digital image]. Retrieved November 3,
2020, from
http://piratecristinawoessner.weebly.com/consumption.html
matter.
Efforts Towards Going Green

Benefits of Renewable Energy Dangers of fossil fuels

Energy that produces little to no Pollutes environment (Water and Air)
greenhouse gas emissions
Land degradation
Reduces some types of air pollution
Carbon emissions trap heat in
Creates economic development and jobs atmosphere which caused climate
change

Limited resources
 Renewable Energy Sources
Usage around the world

Solar Power 2.4% In 2018, 26.2% of

energy made up
by renewables
Wind Power 5.5% (André).

Bio-Power 2.2%
Research Question
Are wind turbines a more productive

way of producing sustainable energy

as opposed to solar panels?

02
Competing
sides
Solar Energy
● Solar panels produce energy throughout the day and

can be installed almost anywhere, including roofs

and even the ground.

● Good for homeowners in densely populated areas

“Consumers with solar panels even make around 94% of all

their electricity needs with solar panels. Overall one 10th

of renewable energy produced in 2019 came from solar

power” (Aggarwall).
 ● It’s possible for sustainable energy to be utilized for
https://youtu.be/WCKz8ykyI2E
large scale use.

Video ● More communities could shift to solar energy to

make an impact in reducing CO2 emisiones.
● Solar energy is extremely sustainable for
homeowners, on a larger scale it has been
demonstrated to be possible, but globally it could
face some challenges.
 Solar Energy

Cons

● Can’t be produced at night or in cloudy areas

● Not all roofs have the right angle
● Solar panels generate significantly less power than wind turbines.
● Upfront costs can be expensive

“Solar panel costs for an average-sized installation in the U.S. usually

range from $11,144 to $14,696 after solar tax credits, and the average
price per watt for solar panels ranges from $2.51 to $3.31.” (Aggarwall)
 Wind Energy
● Some data reported is that overall about one-quarter of renewable

energy produced in 2019 came from wind (Aggarwall).

● Also wind power is beneficial in winter areas and produces wind

power all day, whereas our solar panels stop throughout the night.

“One wind turbine can produce the same amount of electricity as 48,704

solar panels.” (Redlitz)

● Wind turbines have blades that are

sharp and can hurt animals like birds

and bats

● Wind turbines move at fast speeds which

creates a higher risk for animals around

them. Which is not so helpful for the

environment because of the damage it

can cause animals.

Lynch, Mark. "Eric Isn't a Big Fan of Wind Farms." CartoonStock, edited by Svetoslav Simov, 31 May 2013, www.cartoonstock.com/

directory/w/wind_energy.asp. Accessed 20 Oct. 2020. Cartoon.

 Rebuttal for Wind Energy

Fossil fuels and CO2 Another argument people share is that the

emissions from noise from wind turbines are too loud, but

nonrenewable sources have actually the turbines are no louder than a

caused much more harm to microwave. Wind turbines also emit less

animals than wind turbines C02 in the atmosphere compared to solar

have overall (Aggarwall). panels and they consume less energy

(General Energy).
What I think
Solar panels are more effective for homeowners whereas wind

turbines work better in rural areas. Before I did my extensive

research I assumed that solar panels would be able to produce

enough sustainable energy for everyone. But I found out that

only one source of sustainable energy is not enough to produce

the massive amount of energy that we consume.

 Solution

● Using wind turbines are more beneficial in rural

areas and solar panels are better for densely

populated cities.

● There should be a combination because one can

supply energy for any given situation.

● Individuals should aim towards using solar panels

for their homes and look for ways to reduce

pollutants in the air, for ex: carpooling, conserve

energy, avoid idling, run dishwashers and clothes

washers only when full (NHDES)

Works Cited

Thanks!
CREDITS: This presentation template was
created by Slidesgo, including icons by
Flaticon, infographics & images by Freepik
and illustrations by Stories

Aggarwal, Vikram. “Solar vs. Wind Energy: What's Better in 2020?: EnergySage.” Solar News,

EnergySage, 28 July 2020, news.energysage.com/solar-vs-wind-energy-right-home/.

Accessed 17 Oct. 2020.

André, Thomas. “Renewables 2019 Global Status Report.” REN21, 2019, energie-fr-de.eu/fr/
Do you have any questions?
manifestations/lecteur/conference-sur-les-chaines-de-valeur-de-la-transition-energetiqu

e.html?file=files/ofaenr/02-conferences/2020/200325_transition_energetique_Europe/Pr

esentations/03_Thomas_Andre_REN21_OFATE_DFBEW.pdf. Accessed 3 Nov. 2020.

Lynch, Mark. "Eric Isn't a Big Fan of Wind Farms." CartoonStock, edited by Svetoslav Simov, 31

May 2013, www.cartoonstock.com/directory/w/wind_energy.asp. Accessed 20

Oct. 2020. Cartoon.

Fullychargedshow. “Sustainable City | Fully charged” YouTube, 17 Mar. 2017,

https://youtu.be/WCKz8ykyI2E.

Redlitz, Heidi. "Wind vs. Solar — Which Power Source Is Better?" Green Future, 5 May 2016, ]]
greenfuture.io/solar/wind-vs-solar-energy/. Accessed 28 Oct. 2020.
Works Cited

Thanks!
CREDITS: This presentation template was
created by Slidesgo, including icons by
Flaticon, infographics & images by Freepik
and illustrations by Stories

Carothers, Leslie. “Renewable Energy .” Center For Climate And Energy Solutions, 2018,

www.c2es.org/content/renewable-energy/. Accessed 3 Nov. 2020.

Melissa Denchak. Fossil Fuels: The Dirty Facts. 30 Sept. 2020, www.nrdc.org/

stories/fossil-fuels-dirty-facts. Accessed 3 Nov. 2020.

Do you have any questions?
Matasci, Sara. “2020 Examples of Renewable Resources: EnergySage.” Solar News, EnergySage,

25 Sept. 2020,

news.energysage.com/examples-of-renewable-resources-and-alternative-energy/.

Accessed 3 Nov. 2020.

Renewable Energy. 27 Apr. 2020, www.c2es.org/content/renewable-energy/.Accessed 3 Nov. 2020.

Woessnerthe, Cristina. The Output of a Coal-Fired Generating Station in a Single Day. 2020,

piratecristinawoessner.weebly.com/consumption.html. Accessed 3 Nov. 2020.

What Can I Do to Help Reduce Air Pollution? - Air Quality Monitoring and Data Program - NH
Department of Environmental Services, www.des.nh.gov/organization/divisions/air/tsb/ ]]
ams/aqmdp/share.htm.

General Energy, “How Loud Is A Wind Turbine?” 2014, www.ge.com/news/reports/how-loud-is-a-wind-

turbine.