The table shows the consumption $ C $ (in trillions of Btus) of solar energy and wind energy in the United States from $ 1998 $ through $ 2006 $.(Source: Energy Information Administration)
(a) Use the regression feature of a graphing utility to find a cubic model for the solar energy consumption data and a quadratic model for the wind energy consumption data. Let $ t $ represent the year, with $ t = 8 $ corresponding to $ 1998 $.
(b) Use a graphing utility to graph the data and the two models in the same viewing window.
(c) Use the graph from part (b) to approximate the point of intersection of the graphs of the models.Interpret your answer in the context of the problem.
(d) Describe the behavior of each model. Do you think the models can be used to predict consumption of solar energy and wind energy in the United States for future years? Explain.
(e) Use your schools library, the Internet, or some other reference source to research the advantages and disadvantages of using renewable energy.