The weird and the wonderful

 The history of solar power can be traced back to the 7th Century B.C. During this time, magnifying glasses used the sun's rays to make fire. The history of solar power can be traced back to the 7th Century B.C. During this time, magnifying glasses used the sun's rays to make fire.  The Greeks and Romans were the first to use passive solar designs. Buildings with south facing windows allowed the sun to heat and light indoor spaces. The Greeks and Romans were the first to use passive solar designs. Buildings with south facing windows allowed the sun to heat and light indoor spaces.  In 1921, Albert Einstein won the Nobel Prize for his theories on the photoelectric effect. In 1921, Albert Einstein won the Nobel Prize for his theories on the photoelectric effect.  Solar panels first appeared on the market in Solar panels first appeared on the market in  Space programs started using photovoltaic powered systems in They are still used today. Space programs started using photovoltaic powered systems in They are still used today.

 Solar energy is obtained from sunlight. Solar energy is the primary source of energy for all life forms.  Solar energy has been used by humans for a long time for uses such as heating, cooking food, removing salt from seawater and drying clothes.  These days it is also used to create electricity. As technology has improved, solar power costs have decreased and it has become a more viable alternative, competing with energy sources such as coal and oil.  While solar power is becoming more efficient, it only provides a small fraction of the world’s energy supply.  Solar energy is clean. No fossil fuels are used to produce heat or electricity with solar energy. The only pollution produced is in the manufacturing, transporting and installing of solar panels.

 California currently has the largest solar power plant in the world. Covering 1000 acres are nine solar thermal plants in the Mojave Desert.  For solar energy to generate electricity, it must be daylight. During night hours, stored solar energy or an alternative energy source must be used.  Photovoltaic Panels (solar panels) are mainly composed of silicon.  Although the initial investment of solar panels is high, energy from the sun is free. The payback period may take several years, but money will be saved in the long term.  Problems with solar energy may arise in certain locations. Regions that have an abundance of cloudy, overcast, or rainy days find it hard to benefit from solar power.

 Demand for solar energy items is currently greater than supply. Demand for solar energy items is currently greater than supply.  Today's home solar energy systems are low maintainence and will last for decades. Today's home solar energy systems are low maintainence and will last for decades.  Due to increased competition from manufacturers and DIY solar energy kits, the cost of solar panels are falling. Due to increased competition from manufacturers and DIY solar energy kits, the cost of solar panels are falling.  In the next decade, it's expected that photovoltaic power will be similar in price to traditional sources of electricity. In the next decade, it's expected that photovoltaic power will be similar in price to traditional sources of electricity.  Solar panels will be a standard feature for newly constructed homes and commerical buildings. Solar panels will be a standard feature for newly constructed homes and commerical buildings.  More Solar Energy Articles More Solar Energy Articles

Photovoltaic cells in solar powered energy plant

 Solar cells convert light energy into electricity.  Solar cells are also called photovoltaic cells.  Solar cells can be used to power portable devices such as calculators.  Large numbers of solar cells are put together to create solar panels.  The largest solar power plant in the world is found in the Mojave Desert, USA.  Spacecraft and space stations such as the International Space Station (ISS) often use solar panels to generate power.

Photovoltaic Cells

 Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) systems use lenses or mirrors and tracking systems to focus a large area of sunlight into a small beam.  The concentrated heat is then used as a heat source for a conventional power plant.  Various techniques are used to track the Sun and focus light. In all of these systems a working fluid is heated by the concentrated sunlight, and is then used for power generation or energy storage.  Thermal storage efficiently allows up to 24 hour electricity generation.  A diagram of a parabolic trough solar farm (top), and an end view of how a parabolic collector focuses sunlight onto its focal point.

 CHECK OUT SOME SUPER COOL SOLAR POWERED THINGS!!

Solar powered heating device

Solar powered buggy

Solar powered bicycle

Solar powered energy compactor

Simple solar cooker

Another simple solar cooker

Pizza box solar cooker

Passive solar cooker: reflector design

Solar cookers in Ethiopia

Last year sixth graders also made solar cookers. The winning solar cookers (there was a tie as two cookers increased the same temperature) had a temperature increase of 60 degrees celsius!!! !! NOW THAT’S HOT. CONGRATULATIONS MAX DE LA ESPRIELLA FELIPE UMANA JACOB STECKERL A temperature INCREASE of 60 degrees celsius does NOT mean that that was the highest temperature their cooker got to, it means that there was a 60 degree celsius difference between the temperature their cooker was at initially and what it ended at.

One of last years winning designs

The other winning design

Some of our designs

Time to eat s’mores

YUMMY

YOUR TURN!!