This is one of the most common sources of renewable energy used in the United States. The first hydro-electric power plant was commission in 1882 in Wisconsin in the United States. In 1940 about forty percent of energy that was used in the United States was generated from hydro-electric power (Hydroelectric Power Water Use). Currently, about 50 percent of hydro-electric power used in the United States is mainly concentrated in major cities such as New York, California, Oregon and Washington among others (Hydroelectric Power Water Use).
Alternative Renewable Energy Source to Hydro-Electric Power: Solar Energy
Solar Energy is another alternative renewable energy that can be used to substitute hydro-electric power in the United States (Solar Industry Facts and Figures). The use of solar energy is not a new idea. Solar Energy production has achieved tremendous success in the last four decades, for instance: In the last quarter of 2015, a record-breaking amount of solar energy was generated in the United States i.e. about 1,400 megawatts was produced (Solar Industry Facts and Figures). During the first half of 2015, the Solar Industry provided about 40 percent of electricity used in the entire United States (Solar Industry Facts and Figures). The industry is also currently focusing on installation of new stations that are expected to generate about 5,000 more megawatts (Solar Industry Facts and Figures).
Solar energy has been available to the average American citizen and it is expected that this energy will continue to be available to the average American citizen and even support industries. Currently, about 22,700 megawatts of Solar Energy has been made available to about 5 million average American Homes. With more than 134,000 new solar power generation stations installed in 2015, almost 784,000 businesses as well as average American homes had increased access to solar power (Solar Industry Facts and Figures). The installation of this project was performed within a short period of time.
How Increased Supply of Solar Energy to Average American Homes might affect its Economy
Solar energy plays a significant role in relation to the support of the American economy. The increased supply of solar power in the first quarter of 2015 was driven by the increased need for energy in the American Utility Sector (Solar Industry Facts and Figures). This sector experienced a major growth of about seventy percent during 2015, hence compelling the Solar Industry to install about 473 more solar power generating stations. The increased supply of solar power in the United States has been associated with reduced costs of implementation of solar power generating stations.
In a report published by the Solar Foundation, the supply of solar power to local industries as well as average American Homes will continue to have a significant impact on the growth of the industry. To begin with Solar Industry has provided more than 170,000 jobs in the United States and with the expansion of the Industry, it is expected that more jobs will be availed in this industry by the end of 2016 (Solar Industry Facts and Figures). The increasing value of Solar Power projects is also expected to increase and improve the United States Market; this is because solar projects have shown tremendous improvement regarding their value since 2011 when its value was approximated to be $11.5 and $13.7 billion in 2013 (Solar Industry Facts and Figures).
Possible Impacts of Solar Energy on Environmental Crisis
A significant number of development stakeholders are of the opinion that solar power is one of the solutions to the current environmental challenges experienced not only in the United States but also in other parts of the world. As opposed to petroleum energy, solar power is a non-pollutant and does not affect the natural environment. Moreover, increased generation of solar energy is expected to replace the use of fossil fuel energy sources, which have been associated with environmental degradation through the generation of green-house gases (Solar Panels to Fight off Energy and Environmental Crisis).
Works Cited
"Hydroelectric Power Water Use." Hydroelectric Power and Water. Basic Information about Hydroelectricity, the USGS Water Science School. Web. 29 Feb. 2016. <http://water.usgs.gov/edu/wuhy.html>.
"Solar Industry Facts and Figures." SEIA. Web. 29 Feb. 2016. <http://www.seia.org/research-resources/solar-industry-data>.
"Solar Panels To Fight Off Energy And Environmental Crisis." Science Energy Green Tech Nature and More. Web. 29 Feb. 2016. <http://www.sciencefacts.us/solar-panels-to-fight-off-energy-and-environmental-crisis/>.
