What are Fossil Fuels?
Fossil fuels are resources made from the remains of plants and animals, which are found in sedimentary rock; these resources are harnessed to create energy and heat for us to use as electricity, cooking, fuel for driving, and other everyday needs. However, they are becoming less and less popular as we search for cleaner options. Here are some of the pros and cons of using fossil fuels:
Pros:
Easy access to power: Traditional energy resources like gas and oil have been widely used for so long, that the harvesting and storage process has been nearly perfected. The ability to transport gas and oil quickly makes it readily available.
High-density energy source: Fossil fuels are high-density resources, which means that relative to their volume or mass, they can provide a lot of energy; this makes them easy to transport and store.
Cons:
Produces air pollution: Gathering crude oil and coal creates greenhouse gas emissions from drilling and mining. Burning the fuel releases more pollutants into the air, contributing to global warming and making the whole life cycle of fossil fuels detrimental to the environment.
Excessive water usage: In addition to air pollution, the harvesting process requires a lot of water, another important and depleting resource. Although it may be a renewable resource, overpopulation and excessive use have led to overconsumption; our planet can't handle at the current rate.
Dwindling resource: Due to society’s constant consumption and finite supply, fossil fuels are less sustainable for the future than other natural alternatives, like solar and wind.
What is Solar Energy?
Solar energy comes from collecting the sun's light and heat; it is converted into energy, which can substitute fossil fuels such as gas, oil, and coal, used for electricity or heat. Photovoltaic (PV) Systems, AKA solar panels, are what people traditionally think of when they hear about solar.
Pros:
It's a renewable energy source: Solar energy comes from the sun, a nearly unlimited resource.
More affordable than your traditional energy bill: Solar energy can be obtained at a 10%+ discount versus traditional sources via a PPA with C26.
Environmentally friendly: Harnessing and using solar energy doesn't emit greenhouse gases, making it significantly less harmful to the environment. It also doesn't release pollutants into the ocean, unlike oil spills, which happen thousands of times a year.
Bye bye operating costs: When C26 installs a solar PV system, there is no operating cost to the end-user. We take care of everything from the installation to the maintenance once it is implemented.
Cons:
High upfront costs: Typically, when you purchase solar panels directly, you must pay a significant upfront cost. The price can deter people from switching to solar, but with C26's PPA program, you can purchase our solar energy without any initial financial outlay.
Weather intermittency: A source of concern for people who want to switch to solar is weather, particularly when it's overcast. During cloudy days, the panels still absorb 10-25% of the energy they would during a sunny day. Commercial backup battery systems have grown in popularity and can provide power when the sun isn’t shining.
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