1. Solar Energy By: Kathrin, Jess, Charles, Ashley and Chris

2. The current NY/Us investment in solar power is….. 5,000 solar energy companies now employ more than 100,000 Americans. The US is expected to become the worlds number 1 solar market by 2014. Solar energy is a world wide demand. Has the potential to offset rising energy costs. There is a range of financing assistance including tax breaks, rebates, incentives and grants. Worldwide demand for solar energy is currently greater than the supply. Reduces home energy costs and cares for the environment.

3. Why NY/US should invest in solar power…… Solar energy is better for the environment than traditional forms of energy. Solar energy also benefits people by reducing their home energy costs but also it cares for the environment.

4. The latest scientific advancement on solar energy production is….. Solar panels on all south-facing roofs and facades across the UK could deliver around 30% of our electricity needs. The technical potential is many times greater. A solar revolution in the UK will bring hundreds of thousands of jobs in installation and new manufacturing. Solar put the power to generate directly in the hands of the millions and millions of people like us, rather than the hands of a few big energy providers.

5. The latest scientific advancement on solar power continued….. Solar technologies use the sun’s energy to provide heat, light, hot water, electricity, and even for cooling homes, businesses, and industry. Despite sunlight’s significant potential for supplying energy, solar power provides less than 1% of the U.S energy needs. This percentage is expected to increase with the development of new and more efficient solar technologies.

6. Solar plants in the NY/US There are more than 30 utility solar power plants under various stages of development in the US. There are less than 100 in the NY and the US.

7. What is the percent of electricity that is currently generated by solar power in NY/US…… Really there is only 1% or less than that for electricity.

8. Cons for solar energy The major con of solar energy is the initial cost of solar cells. Currently, prices of highly efficient solar cells can be above $1000, and some households may need more than one. This makes the initial installation of solar panels very costly. Solar energy is only able to generate electricity during daylight hours. This means for around half of each day, solar panels are not producing energy for your home.

9. Cons continued….. The weather can affect the efficiency of solar cells. Pollution can be a con of solar energy, as pollution levels can affect a solar cells efficiency, this would be a major con for businesses or industry wishing to install solar panels in heavily polluted areas, such as cities.

10. Pros of solar energy Is a clean source of energy Source of power is free for everyone Solar panels give off no pollution, the only pollution produced as a result of solar panels is the manufacturing of these devices in factories, transportation of the goods, and installation. The production of energy from the use of fossil and some renewable fuels (e.g. wind turbines) can be noisy, yet solar energy produces electricity very quietly.

11. Pros continued…… One of the great pros of solar energy is the ability to harness electricity in remote locations that are not linked to a national grid. A prime example of this is in space, where satellites are powered by high efficiency solar cells. The installation of solar panels in remote locations is usually much more cost effective than laying the required high voltage wires. Solar energy can be very efficient in a large area of the globe, and new technologies allow for a more efficient energy production on overcast/dull days. Solar panels can be installed on top of many rooftops, which eliminates the problem of finding the required space for solar panel placement. Another great pro of solar energy is the cost. Although the initial investment of solar cells may be high, once installed, they provide a free source of electricity, which will pay off over the coming years. The use of solar energy to produce electricity allows the user to become less dependent on the worlds fossil fuel supplies.

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