Solar Energy

What is Solar Energy?

• Energy where the rays of the sun are converted into a current.
• created by solar panels
• one of the most Eco-friendly ways to collect energy
• renewable source
• two main ways to harness

Definitions
Solar energy- a energy where the rays of the sun are converted into a current.
Eco-friendly – doesn’t harm the environment
Active solar energy- traps energy inside of a system then converts it to a current.

Definitions Continued
Passive solar energy- traps energy inside of something and uses it to complete a job. (e.g. Greenhouse.)
Renewable source- a source that doesn’t terminate after one use.
Photovoltaic effect- a phenomenon where the sun converts sunlight directly to electricity.

Definitions Continued
Photovoltaic panel- a panel where the photovoltaic effect occurs
Electricity- the flow of electrons.

How does the sun produce solar energy?

The sun produces energy by the nuclear fusion of hydrogen into helium in its core. Once the energy makes its way through the layers of the atmosphere, it then reaches solar panels.

How it is harnessed?

The Photovoltaic panels harness the energy by creating a energy between two objects that conduct electricity differently, a metal and a semi conductor.

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Pros!

• It is renewable
• It does not make pollution
• It is very low maitnence
• It reduces the cost of electricity
• It is very quiet

Cons :-/

• Solar panels cost a lot of money
• They cannot be used at night.
• Places like Antarctica do not have the sun all the time
• Houses covered by trees can not use solar energy
• Photovoltaic panels contain silicon and toxic metals, bad for environment

Cons Continued

• Up to 60% of energy is wasted- no place to store it
• cant be used on a cloudy day
• Jobs could be lost
• Start up is very expensive

Lose jobs?
Yes, with solar energy nobody is needed to work on the energy source because they are simple to set up, since less people are needed to hook up an energy source, less jobs are needed.

Fun Facts

• It is the reason we live today
• Main source for all life forms
• The Mojave desert has the biggest solar plant
• The cost of energy is free, the solar panels cost around $300

Statistics

1% of renewable energy is solar energy

Where is Solar Energy most used?

Bibliography
1. Keady, Cameron. "News." Solar-Powered Plane. Time Kids, 6 May 2013. Web. 28 Oct. 2014.
2. Maehlum, Mathias Aarre. "Solar Energy Pros and Cons." Energy Informative. Energy Informative, 12 May 204. Web. 27 Oct. 2014.
3. Bratley, James. "Pros & Cons of Solar Energy." Home. Clean Energy Ideas, n.d. Web. 26 Oct. 2014.
4. Green, Green Stay. "What Is Solar Power." ConserveEnergyFuture. Conserve Energy Future, n.d. Web. 28 Oct. 2014.

Bibliography continued
1. Maehlum, Mathias Aarre. "Where Is Solar Power Used the Most? - Energy Informative." Energy Informative. N.p., 4 June 2014. Web. 02 Nov. 2014.
2. "Solar Basics - Energy Informative." Energy Informative. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Nov. 2014.
3. "10 Interesting Facts about Solar Energy!" Renewable Resources Inc Stamford CT. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Nov. 2014.
4. Coffey, Jerry. "How Does The Sun Produce Energy." How Does The Sun Produce Energy. N.p., 15 Oct. 2010. Web. 06 Nov. 2014.

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