By Alexa Klipp, Bailey Rolfing, and Jessica Clydesdale

What is Solar Energy?• Solar energy is energy from the sun. • This type of energy radiates every day. • Two types of this energy are space heating and hot water heating. • Space heating heats up a building with a device called a space heater. • Hot water heating supplies a home with a certain number of gallons of water.

Space Heating

Hot Water Heater

Where is Solar Energy Located?•Shortest- 91,400,000 million miles

•Greatest- 94,500,000 million miles

• Mean- 93 million miles

•Light takes 8 min. and 20 sec. to reach earth

Solar Hot water heating depends on where you live and how much hot water your uses.

Good water heater lasts 15-20 years longer than Conventional water heater.

Solar energy panels are usually placed on roofs or areas with direct sunlight.

Solar Energy panel

Two Types of Solar EnergyPV Electricity Thermal Electricity

“solar cells”

Power calculators, toys, telephones call boxes, converting light into electricity

Use sun’s heat to make electricity

Current Information• Solar energy is collected• Sunlight inside glass• absorbs sunlight and changes

into heat• Traps heat inside• ex: locked car on sunny day• light passes through windows • Seat covers, walls, and floors

absorb energy• Glass windows let in light • Do not let heat out

Reliability Active solar home Mechanical equipment as an extra source Does not operate on solar energy alone Pipes, fans, pumps Is used when solar energy does not have enough supply

to heat homes Passive solar homes Whole house operates on solar energy Doesn’t use pipes, fans, pumps Relies on oriented window Houses face south-sun shines

Advantages and DisadvantagesAdvantages Disadvantages

Environmentally friendly Saves earths recourses Fossil fuelsWoodCollectors-pollution free

Can’t afford equipment to have homes run on solar energy

Works best when sun is shinning

Many times not shinningNeed back up equipment Isn’t as convenient as using

gas, oil, or electricity

Oil

Gas

Future Prospects• The sun’s bright light

may last for another 5

billion years• Better for environment• Not a limited use• Does not use earth’s

materials

Many possible uses

1.) Storing solar heat by collecting

the energy in solar panels

2.) Photovoltaic electricity that detects and measures light intensity

3.) Solar thermal electricity that radiates the sun’s warmth and converts it into energy that we use

I won’t die for another 5

billion years!