Solar Energy By: Kyle McPhail

Facts Solar energy is radiant light and heat from the sun Every hour the sun beams down enough energy to power to planet for an entire year When sunlight hits the cells on a solar panel, it knocks electrons loose from their atoms, as the electrons flow, they generate electricity. There are many different forms of solar power including solar photovoltaic power, solar thermal energy, and passive solar energy

How it Works The suns light contains energy, which is usually heat, but when the light hits certain objects it turns into energy When light hits the bonds between the atoms, it gets absorbed and has a higher energy level and can move around freely Older solar panels use large crystals made of silicon, and the newer ones use smaller and cheaper crystals such as copper- indium-gallium- selenide