Solar Energy By: Stephanie Hunsberger and Diane Fisher

How is Solar Energy Produced?  A photovoltaic cell, commonly called a solar cell or PV, is the technology used to convert solar energy directly into electrical power.  When photons strike a photovoltaic cell, they may be reflected, pass right through, or be absorbed. Only the absorbed photons provide energy to generate electricity. When enough sunlight (energy) is absorbed by the material (a semiconductor), electrons are dislodged from the material's atoms.

Where is Solar Energy typically located?  EVERYWHERE!!!!!  Solar energy is by far the Earth's most available energy source. Solar power is capable of providing many times the total current energy demand. But it is an intermittent energy source, meaning that it is not available at all times.

What are the waste products produced by Solar Power?  There are some toxic materials and chemicals, and various solvents and alcohols that are used in the manufacturing process of photovoltaic cells (PV), which convert sunlight into electricity.

Active Vs. Passive Solar Energy  A passive solar heating design does not actually include any sort of mechanical heating device.  Passive solar heating functions by incorporating building features that absorb heat and then release it slowly to maintain the temperature within the home.  Active solar heating is a much more involved process and generates much more heat than passive systems do.  Active solar heating relies strongly on three components: a solar collector to absorb the solar energy, a solar storage system, and a heat transfer system to disperse the heat to the appropriate places in your home.

Advantages of Solar Energy  Solar energy does not emit any green house gases.  Energy is beyond initial installation and maintenance, solar energy is one hundred percent free.  Solar jobs come in many forms, from manufacturing, installing, monitoring and maintaining solar panels, to research and design, development, cultural integration, and policy jobs.  Solar doesn’t rely on constantly mining raw materials, it doesn’t result in the destruction of forests and eco-systems that occurs with most fossil fuel operations.

Disadvantages of Solar Energy  Solar energy production revolve around the fact that it’s not constant. So it doesn’t work at night, unless it is stored somehow.  Solar panels are bulky. This is particularly true of the higher-efficiency, traditional silicon crystalline wafer solar modules.  There are many solar drip feed batteries available, these are currently costly and bulky, and more appropriate to small scale home solar panels than large solar farms.  Capital costs for installing a home solar system or building a solar farm are high.

Sun Fun Facts!!  Solar energy is the primary source of energy for all life forms.  California currently has the largest solar power plant in the world. Covering 1000 acres are nine solar thermal plants in the Mojave Desert.  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.

References:  basics  Environmentally-Friendly.9762.html  energy/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-solar-energy/  about-solar-energy.html