SOLAR POWER IN YOUR WORLD Colleen and Erin Lattyak

The process of converting light to electricity is called the solar photovoltaic effect. Solar cells are made of silicone alloy and are charged with photons and electrons to aid in the transfer of solar rays to electricity SOLAR CELLS

The first step is getting a solar panel. The second is the roof mounting structure. What do you need to have solar energy power your home?

A special solar power inverter is then needed to convert direct current electricity into alternating current electricity. You also need a solar power collector system is linked to your fuse box and an electric meter so you can tell how much energy you have produced and how much energy you have sold back to the power company.

Water heating system

Electricity system This works basically the same way as the water heating system, except it produces electricity.

Can reduce electric and water bills Produces clean electricity Reduces impact of pollution Adds value to home Government provides small money to off set cost. Pros.

Very expensive Cons. The production of a solar cell often uses as much energy as a solar cell can produce in 20+ years

Fun Facts =] In a single hour, enough sunlight reaches the earth's surface to meet the entire world's energy needs for a full year. In the U.S., there are more than 10,000 homes that get their energy entirely from solar power. As early as 1921, the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded for experiments with solar power. was awarded to Albert Einstein.

Fun facts cont. =] Solar power can cut water bills by more than 50 percent each year in a home where a solar model replaces the electric water heater. Germany is making the best use of solar power, even though its climate includes many cloudy days. It takes only about 8 minutes for solar energy to travel from the sun to the earth.