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What can What can SSolar olar EEnergy be nergy be

used for?used for? Solar Energy plays a big part in the Solar Energy plays a big part in the

photosynthesis of plants. Which primary species photosynthesis of plants. Which primary species consume. This is important for the well being of consume. This is important for the well being of different species. different species.

Plants would die without solar energy. Without the Plants would die without solar energy. Without the plants cleaning our air or providing healthy plants cleaning our air or providing healthy vegetation we would have a hard time surviving vegetation we would have a hard time surviving too. too.

Solar EnergySolar Energy provides heating for homes provides heating for homes and and water water

Solar energy is also frequently used for Solar energy is also frequently used for transportation signaling, such as offshore transportation signaling, such as offshore navigation buoys, lighthouses, aircraft warning navigation buoys, lighthouses, aircraft warning light structures, and increasingly in road traffic light structures, and increasingly in road traffic warning signals. warning signals.

How is solar energy How is solar energy

renewed?renewed? There are housing systems that sell There are housing systems that sell

energy back to the solar panel after energy back to the solar panel after use.use.

People use a power station system People use a power station system this is where a specific building is this is where a specific building is set up to collect the energy from set up to collect the energy from the sun and distribute it. This is a the sun and distribute it. This is a great way for electricity companies great way for electricity companies to make a real difference to the to make a real difference to the environmentenvironment

Most solar panels can be recycled Most solar panels can be recycled and reused to create newer solar and reused to create newer solar panelspanels

Solar panels constantly get energy Solar panels constantly get energy from the sun and solar panels store from the sun and solar panels store what energy they have collected so what energy they have collected so there isn't any worries of the main there isn't any worries of the main source of energy not being there for source of energy not being there for a short amount of time.a short amount of time.

What is the cost of using What is the cost of using this type of energy this type of energy resources? resources? At the time of this writing, the installed At the time of this writing, the installed

cost of solar panels was between $7-$9 cost of solar panels was between $7-$9 per watt: A 5 kW system would cost per watt: A 5 kW system would cost around $25,000-$35,000. Many utility around $25,000-$35,000. Many utility companies offer incentives, and some companies offer incentives, and some subsidize as much as 50% of system subsidize as much as 50% of system costs. Even at half the cost, though, a costs. Even at half the cost, though, a system that generates an average $75 system that generates an average $75 of electricity per month could take a of electricity per month could take a long time to pay for itself. long time to pay for itself.

Positive Aspects to Using Positive Aspects to Using Solar EnergySolar Energy

You don’t pay for sunlight.You don’t pay for sunlight.There is the initial investment for the There is the initial investment for the equipmentequipment,, aafter the initial capital outlay you fter the initial capital outlay you won’t be receiving a bill every month for the won’t be receiving a bill every month for the rest of your life from the electric utility. rest of your life from the electric utility.

The abundance of Solar Energy. The abundance of Solar Energy. In the In the winter each square meter of land still winter each square meter of land still receives a fair amount of solar radiation. receives a fair amount of solar radiation. Sunlight is everywhere and the resource is Sunlight is everywhere and the resource is practically inexhaustible.practically inexhaustible.

Solar energy is getting more cost effective.Solar energy is getting more cost effective.The technology for solar energy is evolving at an The technology for solar energy is evolving at an increasing rate. At present photovoltaic technology is increasing rate. At present photovoltaic technology is still relatively expensive but the technology is still relatively expensive but the technology is improving and production is increasing. The result of improving and production is increasing. The result of this is to drive costs down. this is to drive costs down.

Solar energy is non-polluting.Solar energy is non-polluting.Solar energy is an alternative for fossil fuels like coal Solar energy is an alternative for fossil fuels like coal and petroleum because and petroleum because the the energy is emission free energy is emission free while generating electricity. With solar energy the while generating electricity. With solar energy the danger of further damage to the environment is danger of further damage to the environment is minimized. minimized. Noise pollution is also reduced.Noise pollution is also reduced.

Accessibility of solar power in remote locations.Accessibility of solar power in remote locations.Solar power can generate electricity no matter how Solar power can generate electricity no matter how remote the area as long as the sun shines there. remote the area as long as the sun shines there.

Negative AspectsNegative Aspects

Storage UnitsStorage Units – Storing the heat energy in – Storing the heat energy in water may cause health problems from moldwater may cause health problems from mold

Solar Panels – Solar Panels – Exposure to silicon dust can Exposure to silicon dust can cause breathing problems and for some, cause breathing problems and for some, even death.even death.

Photovoltaic Cells – Photovoltaic Cells – Harmless, may cause Harmless, may cause health problems if not handled carefullyhealth problems if not handled carefully

Cost / Efficiency – Cost / Efficiency – Solar Panels and Solar Panels and installation are very expensiveinstallation are very expensive

What is the science behind What is the science behind Solar Energy?Solar Energy?

Sun’s heat and light are converted to electricity in Photovoltaic Cells (PV) The panels are mounted at an angle facing south.

Panels mostly made of silicon, which creates an electric charge when exposed to sunlight. Some solar cells use nonsilicon materials, solar inks/dyes, and conductive plastics.

How is energy stored?How is energy stored?

Sun only provides energy for part Sun only provides energy for part of the day. On cloudy days or at of the day. On cloudy days or at night, we use the stored solar night, we use the stored solar energy.energy.

For Solar Electricity: For Solar Electricity: Battery Bank –Battery Bank – group of batteries group of batteries

wired togetherwired togetherNet-metering –Net-metering – excess electricity excess electricity

during day is sent to grid. At during day is sent to grid. At night, pull energy from grid.night, pull energy from grid.

For Solar Heating: For Solar Heating: energy can be energy can be stored using thermal mass and stored using thermal mass and water tankswater tanks

What’s preventing What’s preventing widespread use?widespread use?

There are no waste products or dangerous There are no waste products or dangerous gases that pollute environment at allgases that pollute environment at all

Currently, solar panels account for <1% on Currently, solar panels account for <1% on global scaleglobal scale

Main objective is how to reduce cost and Main objective is how to reduce cost and improve efficiencyimprove efficiency

EEasily asily AAccessible to the ccessible to the GGeneral eneral PPublicublic

It's a theory that in about 40-50 years, when It's a theory that in about 40-50 years, when we have "used up" our main energy sources, we have "used up" our main energy sources, solar energy will become readily available to solar energy will become readily available to everyoneeveryone..

Products that use Solar Products that use Solar EnergyEnergy

Trash cansTrash cans CalculatorsCalculators LampsLamps Cell Phone Cell Phone

chargerschargers DryersDryers FurnaceFurnace