Solar Power vs. Wind Power in the Middle East
Solar and wind power are alternative sources of energy which have been growing rapidly during this time of energy crisis. Wind and solar energies are considered an efficient and clean fuel. They do not cause any air or water pollution because they involve no burned fuel (MNIDER, 2008). Recently, there has been a focus on developing renewable energy resources. The main reason is that renewable energies are inexhaustible in contrast to the other energies such as fossil fuels, which widely considered as the main reason of environmental damage (EL-ALI and Moubayed, 2007). Furthermore, energy consumption is rising as the price of fossil fuels has increased sharply. The aim of this essay is to compare and contrast solar-power electricity generation with wind-power electricity generation in terms of location and portability. The essay will attempt to determine which of these energy sources is the most suitable for the Middle East.
As far as the suitable location of solar and wind power is concerned, it has been reported that the efficiency of wind panels is depended on wind speed. The electricity produced by wind turbines is more expensive for places with low or medium wind speed. Likewise, one of the most important reasons that make solar power more suitable is when the place concerned has low wind or has high sunshine (Detronics Limited, 2006). In addition, it is not ideal to install windmills near residential places as this creates continuous noise resulting from the rotation of the turbines. Windmills also cause visual pollution (Smith, 2005). On the other hand, solar power panels are soundless, and they can be installed anywhere, for instance on the roofs, streetlight, and so on, causing no noise or visual pollution.
One can see from the diagram below, which offers a graphical illustration of the most suitable places of solar and wind power energy in the Middle East. The sunshine places are indicated as a circle, whereas the windy places are indicated as a
As far as the suitable location of solar and wind power is concerned, it has been reported that the efficiency of wind panels is depended on wind speed. The electricity produced by wind turbines is more expensive for places with low or medium wind speed. Likewise, one of the most important reasons that make solar power more suitable is when the place concerned has low wind or has high sunshine (Detronics Limited, 2006). In addition, it is not ideal to install windmills near residential places as this creates continuous noise resulting from the rotation of the turbines. Windmills also cause visual pollution (Smith, 2005). On the other hand, solar power panels are soundless, and they can be installed anywhere, for instance on the roofs, streetlight, and so on, causing no noise or visual pollution.
One can see from the diagram below, which offers a graphical illustration of the most suitable places of solar and wind power energy in the Middle East. The sunshine places are indicated as a circle, whereas the windy places are indicated as a
References: 1. Brown, M. and J. F. White (2006) The Case for Solar Power. Oxford: Oxford University Press; UK 2 3. Earthweek, a diary of the planet. (June 13, 2008). Retrieved on 12th Feb http://www.earthweek.com/2008/ew080613/ew080613b.html. 4. EL-ALI, A. and Moubayed, N. and Outbib, R. (2007), Comparison between solar and wind energy in Lebanon.9th International conference. Electrical power Quality and Utilisation: IEEE. 5. Jha A. £37bn plan to power EU with the Saharan sun. (2008). Retrieved on 29th July, http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment. 6. MNIDER, A. (2008), Design and simulation of photovoltaic system for water heating using MPPT. Newcastle University; UK 7 Sketch of possible infrastructure for a sustainable supply of power to the Middle East (Earthweek, 2008).