What are other issues to consider with regard to renewable/green energy?
Space is a huge issue when it comes to renewable energies. Wind turbines and large scale solar programs require a substantial footprint to be effective and economical. Coal-fired plants, on the other hand, can produce very large quantities of energy on a relatively small footprint. In addition, solar and wind power projects can only provide energy when the sun is shining or the wind is blowing; however, a fossil-fired power plant generally runs almost constantly. Consider that Plant Washington will deliver 850 MW of power from an approximately 1,641 acre site – with an actual footprint of fewer than 900 acres – and run more than 90 percent of the year producing almost seven billion kWh of electricity. An 850 MW solar installation would require between 6,000 and 9,000 acres (10 to 14 square miles) and deliver power 20 to 30 percent of the time (and never at night). Likewise, an 850 MW wind power installation (1,700 turbines at 500 kW each) would require more than 270,000 acres (approxim
