Why aren't renewable energy resources widely used?

Answer 1

Answer

They are more expensive than other energy sources.

Answer

All energy sources have considerations of cost, availability, and attainability (which is itself determined by technological and non-technological limits). Solar power is 'free', but the devices to collect it are expensive compared to the power they deliver, thereby making solar power expensive. There are also a limited number of locations where it can be collected. Hydroelectric power is 'free', and the devices to collect it are cheap, but the number of locations at which it can be collected are few in number (most are already being used). Geothermal power is 'free', and collecting it is moderately priced, but there are technological constraints to how well the energy can be collected, and there are few places where it can be collected. Wind power is 'free', and not free. The devices used to collect it are moderately expensive, but wind farms need more traditional power sources (typically fossil fuels) as back-ups, which increases the costs and reduces the efficiency. Like solar, there are also a limited number of places where wind farms are practical. Agri-power or bio-fuels must be grown, and are not 'free'. While converting agricultural products into fuel is rather simple, it is using food for fuel, which creates a competition between feeding people and feeding cars.

== There's a documentary film called "Who Killed the Electric Car?". It's about a company that started selling electric cars, until the US Government, oil companies and other powerful people conspired to put a stop to it. (But I haven't seen it myself.) == The typical middle class US home grid tied solar installation can cost between $25000 and $40000 out of pocket installed. The federal tax credit is limited to a lifetime max of some $2000. Some state and local tax credits are available but not as many as could be out there. The typical home wind turbine runs about $25000 to $35000 installed and you have to get a tower permit to install it which are denied in many suburban settings. There is also no legislation in place to ban home owner associations from having in their bylaws that you can't put up a wind tower or install solar cells on your house if one of your neighbors doesn't like the look of them. - This is of Jan 2009 and hopefully will change. So - it's almost pure cost. Most people in the US do not stay in a home long enough to save the money in utility bills to pay for such a pricy installation. Substantial improvements in solar cell technology will bring these costs down a little over time and hopefully the federal tax credit will be raised to further fill the gap. It is a matter of being able to afford your environmental convictions.

Answer 2

Because sometimes building these facilities is expensive and they usually have to be built in remote areas and burning fossil fuels has also been cheaper than using renewable energy in the past. Another issue is that the form of energy isn't available all the time. For example; cloudy days mean less solar, calm days mean less wind for the turbines and so on. Although, on a more positive note, we are turning to renewable forms of energy more than we used to. Even if it is because of the rising prices of oil and natural gas.

But realistically, we should definitely use more renewable energy sources. Global warming is a controversial subject, but better safe than sorry.

Answer 3

Renewable resources not used for everything that we use energy for because:

• non-renewable energy sources are less costly in the short term
• in some places and for some functions, non-renewable energy sources are the only kind available at present
• there are not at present enough sources of renewable energy on the market to meet all energy demands

Answer 4

because governments are lazy are find a problem with everything grrrr i am mad

Answer 5

Because Drincks are tastier than water,gas gives cars energy and cars are more faster,and a lot more things which are better to other people which require Nonrenewable resources

Answer 6

Well it supplies 20 percent of US electricity with 104 operating reactors, isn't that widespread?

Answer 7

It is expensive- solar panels are really expensive but are slowly coming down in price.

Answer 8

Mainly Because those type of energy regeneration is expensive.

Answer 9

It does partially, Hydroelectric power is the largest renewable energy source in the US.