Solar Energy and Nuclear Power By: Felix Santoyo

Solar Energy Solar Energy- is energy that is used from the sun’s UV Rays, Radiant light and heat from the sun. Solar energy is used to generate and power electricity in homes, automobiles, Agriculture, Water Heating, Healing and Cooling, Cooking, and Electrical Generation. The yearly amount of Solar Energy consumed by humans is 3,850, 000 Joules. Solar Energy is a useful source and helpful towards the environment.

Drawbacks of Solar Energy One of the disadvantages of Solar Energy is, that the cost of the equipment is expensive to buy and install. Solar Energy is used during the day, but when it’s night your equipment is useless because it’s not getting the UV Rays and the Sun isn't up. Solar Energy also requires a large area for installment, if there is an area that is small then you cant put Solar equipment there. If your house is by trees or other buildings then, you wouldn’t receive any energy in your house because the trees and the shade by a house will cover up the Sun’s light.

Benefits of Solar Energy One of the benefits for Solar Energy is that Solar Energy is not sustainable but it’s renewable, which can help Earth. People can generate their own electricity by getting energy from the Solar Panels. If you produce a lot of Energy and you only use certain amounts of it, you can sell the amount that you don’t use to your utility company for electricity credits. Solar electricity power plants and personal solar panels produce zero emissions.

Solar Panel Solar Panels make renewable energy from the Sun, which they are clean and environmentally to the environment. The solar panel can be used as a component of a larger photovoltaic system to generate and supply electricity in commercial and residential applications. The Solar Cells in the panel work together to supply energy. One Solar Cell cannot supply or generate a lot of energy so many solar cells are connected to produce power.

Nuclear Power Nuclear Power- is generated by nuclear fission the neutrons smashes into the nucleus of the Uranium atoms, which split in half and releases energy in the form of heat. Water or Carbon Dioxide is pumped into a reactor which takes away the heat and heats the water to produce steam. The steam turns turbines and the turbines turn the generators to produce electricity. Steam is in the reactors and is released into the atmosphere. Nuclear Power is used to generate electricity, and to use that electricity to power homes, buildings, factories, mines, ships, etc. Nuclear Power provides about 6% of the world’s energy and 13-14% of the world’s electricity. United States, France, and Japan together make up about 50% of nuclear generated electricity.

Benefits of Nuclear Power Nuclear Power Plants are more efficient, new technology has them more reliable and safer. Almost zero emissions, doesn’t release greenhouse gases. Produces a lot of energy in one single Nuclear Power Plant. New reactors are designed to prevent Nuclear Meltdowns in Nuclear Power Plants. Less Fossil Fuel consumption, Less CO released into the atmosphere, Less dependence on foreign oil and other sources of power. Nuclear Power is a Renewable Resource.

Drawbacks of Nuclear Power The Radioactive waste of the Nuclear Power plant is risky to dispose, it is also poisonous. Nuclear Proliferation in countries around the world, Example North Korea and Iran. Technology that is used in Nuclear Power plants is can also be used to develop Nuclear Weapons, which is a threat to the World. Careless disposal of Radioactive can lead to pollution in rivers, lakes, and oceans. Releases less radioactive waste than coal power. Concerns over effects on health, if a person is affected by radiation contamination.

How a Nuclear Power Plant Works