We welcome you to a conversation about the Future of Solar Energy 1 Team Sunshine

2 Sara Yackey Phil Wentworth Becca Zeman

The Conversation What is Solar Energy? Why the Mystery? Global Initiatives Economics Opportunities for the future: Things to consider and possible challenges Why not Solar 3

What is Solar Energy Solar – from the sun Energy – the force used to move something Considered an “Alternative Energy” as opposed to Fossil Fuels 4

Why the mystery????? Solar energy was created when the sun was Life is fueled by the Sun Fossil fuels were created through solar energy It seems so obvious, and yet so complicated So…… 5

A futurist perspective 6 Source - Insert kurzweil’s video here

Interesting Facts Did you know? One kilowatt equals 1,000 watts, A sunny location receives an average of 5.5 hours of sunlight per day each year. A cloudy location receives 2.5 hours per day of sunlight each year. A solar energy system can provide electricity 24 hours a day Source: 7

Globally Germany is leading the European nations – Incentives for companies to develop and consumers to implement In Far-East Asia: Japan and China are industry leaders. – Japan - New Sunshine Project – China - Technology has grown exponentially. 8

Economics - $100 Billion Industry Worldwide* In the US the impact of the Solyndra Bankruptcy on the heels of significant government loans has lead to a PR nightmare for the industry Technology has continued to evolve, developing methods and machinery to reduce the expense of implementation and to reduce the cost to consumers. Average cost currently ~$3/Watt, economists estimate a drop to $1.45/Watt by 2020, and $1/Watt by 2025 Private investor funding is crucial due to world wide economic crisis. 9

Increase cost of fossil fuels 10

Fossil Fuels…need we say more 11

Opportunities for the future 12 Source : com/article/ the- real-issue-with-solar- energy-isn-t-its-cost Population growth will force the need for alternative energy Increase Cost in Fossil Fuels and decreased cost of solar energy

Population growth 13 HxPxNrZ0&feature=player_embedded Video Here

Population Growth 14

15 Efficiency

Impact of Nanotechnology SAVES MONEY! Reduces manufacturing costs Reduces installation costs 16

Environmental Impacts GO GREEN Positives: – Conserves non-renewable energy sources – Facilities are better for the environment than fossil fuel facilities Negatives: – Possibility of chemical spills – Construction of facilities will create pollutant materials 17

Land Use Large solar farms require a large amount of land Impact to existing structures Impact to surrounding agriculture – SAS’s solar farm is surrounded by sheep Eyesore MAJOR LAND REQUIREMENTS 18

Impact on Aviation Glare from solar panels can cause issues of military and general aviation aircraft PILOTS MUST WATCH OUT FOR BLINDING GLARE! 19

Complimentary Energy Sources WORKING TOGETHER! Wind – wind in the winter, sun in the summer Biomass Water 20

Solar Energy in Globally, solar will be primary Minimum 50% of the world’s power could be provided by solar energy Population growth Maturity of technology Decreased costs of materials

??????Questions??????? 22 Solar Energy In 2025…. Are you ready?