SOLAR ENERGY

G.T. Salamone, Steven Rumfelt, Matt Zeglen, Christie DeVantier, Tim Hartney, Elena Favata

ENERGY PRODUCTION Two types- Photovoltaic (PV devices)

and Concentrating Solar Power Plants("energy kids-solar." )

ENERGY PRODUCTION

Photovoltaic (PV devices)

Change sunlight directly to electricity ("energy kids-solar.“)

Grouped into panels which range from single cells that power batteries and calculators to systems that are allowed to power homes ("energy kids-solar.“)

Concentrating Solar Power Plants

Uses the caught sunlight to heat a fluid to produce steam which powers the generator ("energy kids-solar.“)

Depends on location, time of year and weather conditions ("energy kids-solar.“)

How it works

STATISTICS

Energy used world wide- 250,000,000+ watts ("Worldometers” ) Solar energy striking the Earth-24,000,000,000+ watts

("Worldometers” ) Solar energy used- 20,000,000+ watts ("Worldometers” ) 1.2 million buildings in the US have solar water heating systems

(Profiles—Solar)

Photovoltaic solar panels last between 30-40 years ("Solar Power Statistics”)

One kW of power generated from solar panels prevents 150lbs of coal from being mined, 300 lbs of CO2 from being emitted and 105 gallons of water from being consumed ("Solar Power Statistics”)

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS produces almost no carbon release or greenhouse gases.

(“Milam, Jeff”) energy supply never runs out. (“Milam, Jeff”) Compared to fossil fuels such as coal or oil have a tremendous

environmental impact, even in comparatively safe circumstances. (“Milam, Jeff”)

Produces no air pollution (“Milam, Jeff”)

COSTS

Solar Panels total cost- to power a small house $30,000- $40,000, this includes installation, wiring, and inverter box ("How Much do Solar Panels Cost?”)

This is about $4.30 per watt for a 50 watt solar panel(" Cost of Solar Panels.“)

EFFICIENCIES

Very low- 5%-15% ("How Efficient Is Solar Energy." )

Advancements in technology increased by 40% ("How Efficient Is Solar Energy." )

Solar panels range in their energy output which usually range from 30 to 205 watts. ("How Efficient Is Solar Energy." )

Photovoltaic panels create specified generated energy. E.X.- 100 watt panels output 100 watts of energy("How Efficient Is Solar Energy." )

CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS

Solar Panels- older solar panels used 12-24 volts, now that technology is increasing 48 volt panels are most commonly used ("Solar Power.“).

Maximum Power Point Tracking Controllers- definition: extracts additional power from your PV array, under certain conditions ("What is MPPT?”). Increase energy output by 15-20% ("Solar Power." ).

Water Pump- a 12 volt solar panel used with a controller and a linear current booster("Water Pumping.“)

Solar Furnaces- use mirrors to obtain the sun’s energy and produce high temperatures("Energy Resources”)

Photoluminescent products- store light energy and release it later ("Energy Resources)

FUTURE DEVELOPEMENTS

Using nanotechnology to experiment with materials that will allow almost any part of a building to contain photovoltaic materials ("The Future of Solar Power”)

Working on orbiting solar energy arrays that could be capable of beaming the power they generate back to earth ("The Future of Solar Power”)

Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have found a way to generate solar energy using chemicals comparable to those used by plants for photosynthesis ("The Future of Solar Power”)

Japan has created transparent collectors that generate electricity from UV light ("solar power." mother earth )

This could come to roofs of cars and windows of skyscrapers having transparent solar films("solar power." mother earth )

WORK CITED "Solar Power." Welcome to OTHERPOWER.COM. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Mar. 2011.

<http://www.otherpower.com/otherpower_solar_new.html>. “Solar power." mother earth news. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Apr. 2011.

<www.motherearthnews.com/Rancho-Cappuccino/Photovoltaic-Solar-Power.aspx>. "Worldometers - real time world statistics." Worldometers - real time world statistics. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Apr. 2011.

<http://www.worldometers.info/>. Milam, Jeff. "The Effects of Solar Energy for the Environment | eHow.com." eHow | How To Do Just About Everything! | How To

Videos & Articles | eHow.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Apr. 2011. <http://www.ehow.com/list_6375269_effects-solar-energy-environment.html#ixzz1IBJAh0rH

"What is MPPT? Explanation of maximum power point tracking." Solar Panels from Wholesale Solar Renewable Energy . N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Mar. 2011. <http://www.wholesalesolar.com/Windy/MPPT-article.html>.

"Water Pumping." Welcome to OTHERPOWER.COM. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Mar. 2011. <http://www.otherpower.com/otherpower_waterpumping.html>.

"Energy Resources: Solar power." Andy Darvill's Science site: Home. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Mar. 2011. <http://www.darvill.clara.net/altenerg/solar.htm>.

"energy kids-solar." energy kids- solar. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Mar. 2011. <www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energy.cfm?page=solar_home-basics>.

"How Efficient Is Solar Energy." How To Build a Solar Panel For Less Than $100. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Apr. 2011. <http://www.solarpowerfast.com/build-solar-panel/how-efficient-is-solar-energy/>.

"How Much do Solar Panels Cost? | Solar Panels - Green Power." Solar Panels - Green Power. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Apr. 2011. <http://solarpanelspower.net/solar-panels/solar-panels-cost>.

" Cost of Solar Panels." Solar Panels. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Apr. 2011. <http://www.solarpanelinfo.com/solar-panels/solar-panel-cost.php>.

"The Future of Solar Power | Solar Panels - Green Power." Solar Panels - Green Power. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Apr. 2011.

<http://solarpanelspower.net/solar-power/future-of-solar-power>. "Solar Power Statistics." Solar Power - A Clean, Renewable Source of Energy for the Home. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Apr. 2011.

<http://www.solarpoweristhefuture.com/solar-power-statistics.shtml>. "Profiles--Solar » Explore More: The Future of Energy." Iowa Public Television. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Apr. 2011.

<http://www.iptv.org/exploremore/energy/profiles/solar.cfm>.