1. SOLAR ENERGY AND HOW IT WORKS BY CHRIS NICHOLSON

2. MAKING A CHANGE

3. -1839 the discovery of photovoltaics was made by French physicist Edmond Becquerel. -1905 Albert Einstein describes the photoelectric effect, the principle that photovoltaics are based upon. EARLY PROGRESS -1921 Albert Einstein wins Nobel Prize for theory on photoelectric theory

4. -In the mid 1950’s the first practical use of solar cells emerged when AT&T Labs first developed 6% efficient silicon solar cells. -By 1960 Hoffman Electronics increased commercial solar cell efficiencies to as much as 14% and today researchers have developed cells with more than 20% efficiencies.

5. -In 1958 the Vanguard I, was launched into space. It was the first orbiting vehicle to be powered by solar energy. Photovoltaic silicon solar cells provided the electrical power to the satellite until 1964 when the system was shut down.

6. -The energy crisis and oil embargos of the 1970’s made many nations aware of their dependency on controlled non-renewable energy sources and this fueled exploration of alternative energy sources. -This included further research into renewable sources such as solar power, wind power and geothermal power. HOW DID WE GET TO WHERE WE ARE TODAY?

7. SO HOW DOES THIS ALL WORK? The Law of Conservation of Energy: Energy can only change from one form to another. Energy can not be created or destroyed. Solar Energy comes to the Earth in the form of heat energy as well as light energy. By the time the energy reaches the surface it will already have transformed primarily into light energy.

8. Forms of Solar Panels

9. This panel contains pipes that are used to hold the water to be heated. On one end is an entry point for the cool water to enter. The other side has an exit point where the heated water departs from. After the water is pumped inside, the exit point will be plugged up in order to keep the cool water from escaping. The water sits there under a transparent panel that is aimed at the sun. The sunlight penetrates the glass and heats the water until it is ready to be used. The heated water is then transported out of the panel and is to be used for cleaning, showers, or heating your home.

10. PHOTOVOLTAIC PANELS

11. Photovoltaic panels are used to transform the light energy that is radiating from the sun into electric energy. The previous slide displayed a panel that is used to power a vehicle. The photovoltaic panel does this by attaching a motor to the panel. The motor is attached to a wire circuit that is fueled by the electrical energy surging from the face of the panel. The motor transforms the electric energy into mechanical energy which powers the vehicle.

12. HOW IT WORKS IN YOUR HOME

13. SOLAR FARMS Also known as Photovoltaic Power Stations

14. INTERESTING NEW IDEAS “Grow your money with solar”

15. HOW IT WORKS “Mosaic connects investors to high quality solar projects.” See for yourself! joinmosaic.com

16. WHAT’S NEXT IN ALTERNATIVE ENERGY? The environment we live in is so fragile… …we need a new source of energy

17. FORMS OF ALTERNATIVE ENERGY -Wind -Hydro -Geothermal -Tidal -Biomass

18. ALGAE ENERGY …THE FUTURE OF ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

19. HOW IT WORKS 1.Grow the algae 2.Starve it of nutrients 3.Break algae open 4.Use solvents to separate the fats from sugars 5.Evaporate solvent 6.Transform fat to biodiesel

20. ADVANTAGES

21. MAYBE ONE DAY…

22. SOURCES http://www.makeitsolar.com/index.htm http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global- warming/solar-power-profile/ http://www.physics.org/article-questions.asp?id=51 http://www.aocs.org/Membership/FreeCover.cfm?itemnumber=1656 8 http://technologygreenenergy.blogspot.com/2013/07/types-of- alternative-energy-sources.html http://greencitiesmedia.com/2009/03/alabamas-quest-for- alternative-energy-continues/ http://www.green-the-world.net/what_is_renewable_energy.html