CER Document

Ilysah
Argument: Renewables are the energy source of our present and
future.

Pro - Yes, renewables should be the energy source of the present and future.

COST

Claim: They may be more expensive than nuclear or fossil fuels but it is the way
to go in the long run.

Evidence (include a source):

https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/finance/save-money-putting-solar-panels-roof/
By building transmission facilities, we REDUCE the costs to remove the
carbon rather than increasing it
Renewable energy cost 7,500 mW per installation
Low-carbon energy sources can save the region between 5.7 million dollars
and 210 million annually
Extracting and using fossil fuels is expensive and harmful to the environment
By contrast, solar energy is free and readily abundant
If we could capture all of the suns energy shining on the Earth for just one
hour, we could power the entire world for one year
The benefits of solar energy are clear. You can can you save money on your
electric bills
Typical American family is spending over $1,400 a year on electricity alone
Electricity prices went up 2.5% annually from 2000 to 2006
That rising cost is being driven in part by the rising cost of fuels, such
as coal and natural gas.
Thats why you go solar its cheaper in the long run and better for the
environment
$15,000 for an average
residential 3kW system
Bill at $100, your initial
investment will save
you approximately $50
a month for the life of
your solar panel
system.
Its a 20 year investment to get
all your money back! Youd be
saving yearly!

Reasoning:
Getting solar panels in your home is the way to go. It may be a but pricey in the
beginning but you'll be saving more money in the long run compared to your
electricity bill. Plus this way is better for the environment.

ENVIRONMENT

Claim: Renewable energy is the best option for our environment.

Evidence (include a source): http://www.renewable-energysources.com/

We need something new fossil fuel emission wont last much longer
oil=46 years, natural gas= 58 years, coal=118 years
The years may extend longer but by them climate change can be terrible and
it will be too late.
Renewable energy is constantly replenished naturally and will never be
exhausted because its from natural sources.
Renewable energy produces little to no global warming emissions
Wind, solar, and hydroelectric systems generate electricity with no
association of air pollution emissions
In addition, wind and solar energy require essentially no water to operate and
thus do not pollute water resources or strain supply by competing with
agriculture, drinking water systems, or other important water needs.
Solar energy creates clean, renewable power from the sun and benefits the
environment.
One home installing a solar energy system can have a measurable effect on
the environment. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration,
the average home with solar panels in Connecticut uses 8,756 kilowatt-hours
(kWh) of electricity per year. Switching from fossil fuels to solar power in the
state has the same emissions reduction effect as planting 155 trees every
year.
Since most renewables dont require water for cooling, they dramatically
reduce the water requirements for power production compared to fossil-
fueled power plants.

Reasoning: We may not have any natural resources left if we continue to use
fossil fuels. We need to take action now and be willing to spend a little more money
to save our environment or else we wont have one.

HEALTH EFFECTS

Claim: Renewable energy is not only better for the environment but for our
health as well.

Evidence (include a source):

http://spectrum.ieee.org/energywise/energy/environment/renewable-energy-is-good-
for-your-health
It will reduce air pollution from burning fossil fuels which can save lives
Air pollution accounts for approximately 200,000 premature deaths per year,
 with electricity generation contributing to 52,000 of those deaths
Widespread solar adoption would significantly reduce nitrous oxides, sulfur
dioxide, and particulate matter emissions, all of which can cause health
problems.
Solar power results in fewer cases of chronic bronchitis, respiratory and
cardiovascular problems, and lost workdays related to health issues.
Renewable energy emits less CO2 compared to coal based products
Wind emits 0.04 pounds of CO2
Solar emits 0.2 pounds of CO2
Hydroelectricity emits 0.1-0.5 pounds of CO2
Natural gas = 0.6-2 pounds of CO2
Coal = 1.4-3.6 pounds of CO2

Reasoning: Its simple coal based products are bad for us and emit way more CO2
than renewable energy. If we switch to renewable energy more lives will be saved.

INFRASTRUCTURE

Claim: It is possible for renewable energy to power the U.S

Evidence (include a source):

http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/smart-energy-solutions/increase-
renewables/renewable-energy-80-percent-us-electricity.html#.WSz6BBMrIcg
The United States could lower carbon emissions from electricity generation
by as much as 78 percent without having to develop any new technologies
If we could capture all of the suns energy shining on the Earth for just one
hour, we could power the entire world for one year
Wind and solar power can provide up to about half of U.S. electricity, with the
remaining 30 percent from other renewable sources
The Renewable Electricity Futures Study found that an 80 percent renewables
future is feasible with currently technologies, including wind turbines, solar
photovoltaics, concentrating solar power, biopower, geothermal, and
hydropower.

Reasoning: We can power the U.S and we should because it will save us. We
have the technology to do it and it wouldn't even cost new technology to be able to
get to our goal.

SUSTAINABILITY/LONGEVITY

Claim: Renewable energy will open up more jobs, be better for our environment
and will save us some money.

Evidence (include a source):

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/us-could-switch-mostly-renewable-
energy-no-batteries-needed-180957925/
Renewable energy industry is more labor-intensive. More jobs are created for
each unit of electricity generated from renewable sources than from fossil
fuels.
More than 500 factories in the United States manufacture parts for wind
turbines, and the amount of domestically manufactured equipment used in
wind turbines has grown from 35 percent in 2006 to 70 percent in 2011
Building a new network for transmitting electricity is a big job. But in the long
run it would allow cheap power to be available to everyone
By building these transmission facilities, we reduce the costs to remove the
carbon rather than increasing it
By going solar, you can reduce demand for fossil fuels, limit greenhouse gas
emissions, and shrink your carbon footprint.
Renewable energy technologies are cheaper as they require less maintenance
in the long run
Solar energy is a top priority of the department, and we are devoting
extensive resources to developing photovoltaic cells that are both more
efficient and less costly than current technology
CZTS (type of material) has a favorable band gap for solar cell applications,
is made entirely of abundant materials and has a high absorption coefficient
to minimize the quantity of material used in devices.
Reasoning: Renewable energy will open up more jobs and work in the long run if
we start now. We will save money and save our environment. We wont have any
more CO2 which will help global warming and in the long run we will actually still
have a world that isn't destroyed by CO2