Abijah Minton and Anthony Triplin Active Solar Energy Abijah Minton and Anthony Triplin

How solar energy works Active Solar Energy provides hot water by the heat from sunlight to create energy. Solar collectors are placed in areas where sunlight is constant.

The two different types of Solar Energy Air Based: Effective in large buildings. Rubber tubes are placed on the roof. Air is pumped through the tubes which is then heated. The heat is then taken to the house’s heating system and released through the air ducts. Fluid Based: Flat plate solar collectors are placed in sunlight. Pipes connected to the plates take in water which is connected to a water heater. The water is heated, then is then pumped through the house heating the house.

Photovoltaic Cells PV Cells(photovoltaic cells) are used to create an electrical field that provides momentum and direction to light stimulated electrons. This creates a flow of current. This happens when sunlight strikes the surface of a PV cell. PV cells are very small, yet create a lot of electricity.

Solar towers and Arrays Solar towers use a type of solar furnace to receive sunlight. It uses an array to focus the sunlight to a collector. An array is a system flat movable mirrors which can be moved to gather more sunlight. This energy source is renewable, pollutant free and currently has available technology which can be used.

Benefits to using Active Solar Energy Active Solar Energy is most beneficial in cold climates with solar resources , especially if replacing more expensive forms of energy such as electricity, propane, and oil heat. Solar heating systems also significantly reduce the amount of air pollutants and greenhouse gases that would otherwise be given off by other forms of energy.

Downsides to Active Solar Energy When bad or cloudy weather comes around for long periods of time, backup generators must be used as another source of electricity until sunlight is again present. Low temperature heating systems are favored more because solar energy normally cannot create as much heat as an oil heating system would. Parts and labor for the installation of solar panels can be very expensive, in the short term, but make up for it in the long term.

Active Solar Energy in the Real World Although the installation of many solar panels (like the skyscraper pictured) are EXTREMELY expensive, many large corporations are beginning to understand the dilemma of pollution and the extreme cost of energy, and the difference that they can make for the world.

Meeting the needs of Environmental and Economical needs In environmental terms, this form of energy is much more friendly to the environment. Of course waste is still given off, but the amount is almost nothing compared to that of oil and electric energy. Replacing the other forms of energy with solar would decrease stress on the world. Economically, the cost of solar energy over long term would be significantly less because sunlight is renewable, and costs nothing to obtain.