Garret Erskine: Comparing
Clean Energy Sources
Garret Erskine: Comparing Clean
Energy Sources
 Garret Erskine is an avid proponent of solar energy solutions, and he has
patented his own reflective solar lighting system, the SkyLiter™. Solar energy
is a part of the broader spectrum of exciting clean alternatives to burning
fossil fuels for energy. Here is a side-by-side comparison of three of the most
promising clean energy sources.
Garret Erskine: Comparing Clean
Energy Sources
 1. Solar. One of the best-known clean energy sources, solar energy is
electricity or heat generated by converting the energy from the sun's rays.
Although photovoltaic (solar electric) energy is the better-known
technology, solar-thermal heating for residential hot water supplies is also
becoming popular. The cost of converting solar energy into useful energy
continues to decrease steadily.
Garret Erskine: Comparing Clean
Energy Sources
 2. Wind. Wind energy is harvested by huge turbines, set together in areas
known as “wind farms,” that use propellers to turn them. Although wind
energy, like solar, is 100% clean, there are a number of issues still being
worked out with the technology, including noise and vibration from the
turbines, as well as the high initial cost of installing them.
Garret Erskine: Comparing Clean
Energy Sources
 3. Hydroelectric. Hydroelectric power is generated by turbines that are
turned by the flow of water , usually from a river passing through them.
Some 20% of the world's energy is generated through hydroelectric plants,
and it continues to be a practical choice for development in terms of cost
and availability of resources. However, the damming required for
hydroelectric power on a large scale has led to decades of serious
environmental concerns that engineers are still working to address.

Garret Erskine: Comparing Clean Energy Sources

  • 1.
  • 2.
    Garret Erskine: ComparingClean Energy Sources  Garret Erskine is an avid proponent of solar energy solutions, and he has patented his own reflective solar lighting system, the SkyLiter™. Solar energy is a part of the broader spectrum of exciting clean alternatives to burning fossil fuels for energy. Here is a side-by-side comparison of three of the most promising clean energy sources.
  • 3.
    Garret Erskine: ComparingClean Energy Sources  1. Solar. One of the best-known clean energy sources, solar energy is electricity or heat generated by converting the energy from the sun's rays. Although photovoltaic (solar electric) energy is the better-known technology, solar-thermal heating for residential hot water supplies is also becoming popular. The cost of converting solar energy into useful energy continues to decrease steadily.
  • 4.
    Garret Erskine: ComparingClean Energy Sources  2. Wind. Wind energy is harvested by huge turbines, set together in areas known as “wind farms,” that use propellers to turn them. Although wind energy, like solar, is 100% clean, there are a number of issues still being worked out with the technology, including noise and vibration from the turbines, as well as the high initial cost of installing them.
  • 5.
    Garret Erskine: ComparingClean Energy Sources  3. Hydroelectric. Hydroelectric power is generated by turbines that are turned by the flow of water , usually from a river passing through them. Some 20% of the world's energy is generated through hydroelectric plants, and it continues to be a practical choice for development in terms of cost and availability of resources. However, the damming required for hydroelectric power on a large scale has led to decades of serious environmental concerns that engineers are still working to address.