Advantages and Disadvantages 2

Wind
Advantages
Wind is free if available. As it turns out, the US has many areas available.
Good source for periodic water pumping demands of farms as used earlier in 1900's
Generation and maintenance costs have decreased significantly. Wind is proving to be a reasonable cost renewable source.
Well suited to rural areas. Examples include Mid-Columbia areas of Oregon and Washington, western Minnesota, Atlantic Ocean off Cape Cod.

Disadvantages
Need 3x the amount of installed generation to meet demand
Limited to windy areas.
Limited to small generator size; need many towers.
Highly climate dependent - wind can damage equipment during windstorms or not turn during still summer days.
May affect endangered birds, however tower design can reduce impact..

Solar
Advantages
Sunlight is free when available
Costs are dropping.

Disadvantages
Limited to southern areas of U.S. and other sunny areas throughout the world (demand can be highest when least available, e.g. winter solar heating)
Does require special materials for mirrors/panels that can affect environment
Current technology requires large amounts of land for small amounts of energy generation

Biomass
Advantages
Industry in its infancy
Could create jobs because smaller plants would be used

Disadvantages
Inefficient if small plants are used
Could be significant contributor to global warming because fuel has low heat content