If solar energy is so cool, why isn't everybody using it?

Even though humans have been using the sun's energy for thousands of years

, photovoltaic (solar electric) technology is still very new. Here is a list of many solar energy Pros and Cons.

SOLAR ENERGY PROS:

• 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 can be noisy, yet solar energy produces electricity very quietly.

• Solar energy can be very efficient in a large area of the globe.

• 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.

Solar Energy Cons:

The major con of solar energy is the initial cost of solar cells.

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.

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

• You can see how the number of pros relating to solar energy, greatly outweighs the cons of solar energy.

• The main reason we are not seeing a large amount of solar energy technology installations is due to cost, and unfortunately, the price of fossil fuels remains lower than the initial investment towards the currently available solar panels.

• If you count that the government helps pay for electricity made in coal plants, solar energy might not really be more expensive.

• Anyway our generation has a great chance to use solar energy!! If you keep learning and thinking more about energy and how you use it; and learning and thinking more about different kinds of solar energy, maybe by the time you're our age, everyone will be using solar energy

1. WATER FROM PLANTS

• This solar energy experiment draws water from plants using only the power of the sun. With just a shovel, a plastic sheet and a bowl it is possible to get fresh water from virtually any vegetation.

• Materials Needed: You will need the following:• * shovel

* a clear plastic sheet at least 75cm x 75cm (25 in x 25 in)* 10 - 15 heavy stones* a clean jar* a pebble* any kind of green plant matter

• Step 1: Dig a hole in the ground approximately 30cm (10 in) deep and 60cm (20 in) in diameter. Collect any fresh green vegetation from the nearby area and fill the hole with them. Weeds and / or lawn clippings are ideal in a suburban environment.

• Step 2: Place the jar in the CENTRE of the hole and make sure it has a firm foundation, ie it is resting on the ground and not on the vegetation.

• Step 3: Cover the hole with the clear plastic sheet. Any colour plastic sheet will work, but with a clear one you can SEE what is happening. Use the stones to weigh down the EDGES of the plastic sheet.

• Step 4: Place the pebble in the CENTRE of the sheet so that it makes a dip in the plastic sheet.

• What is Happening? • The heat from the sun is trapped by the plastic sheet.

This makes the temperature in the hole rise. This in turn dries of the vegetable matter. The water vapour then reaches the plastic sheet (since hot air rises) where it condenses to form water. It does this because although the plastic sheet traps the heat, it is exposed to cooler air on the outside of the hole which makes it be at a lower temperature than the air in the hole.

• The condensed water vapour runs down the underside of the sheet to the point where the pebble is sitting, and then drips into the cup.

• IMPORTANT: While this is a good solar energy experiment and also has survival value, it is strongly recommended NOT TO DRINK THE WATER. It could contain toxins from herbicides or another source that are carried with the water when it evaporates. The plastic sheet may also be dirty.

By providing heat, the sun can help ussave fuel. Solar ovens have beenaround since the 1830s, whenastronomer John Herschel used one tocook food during an African expedition.You can make one out of a pizza box.

Draw an 8 1/2 inch x 11 inch square in the lid of the assembled box. Cut out three sides of the square, and fold the flap back along the uncut edge. Cover the inside of this flap with aluminum foil, using tape to hold the edges securely. Line the inside bottom of the box with black construction paper. Use tape to hold the edges down. Create insulation by rolling up some newspaper (about 1

1/2 inch thick) and fitting it around the inside edges of the

box. Tape one piece of plastic wrap (stretched tightly) to the

underside of lit opening. Prop the box at an angle facing the sun. Use a ruler to

prop the flap open.

On a hot, sunny day the temperature can reach 200°°F in

your oven! Use it to make s’mores, or to warm some muffins.

Other options: Use different containers—like bowls or cans.

Paint the cans different colors and see if it makes a difference.

Test the temperature (with a thermometer) inside the container

with and without a plastic covering.

• Perform an experiment to show that the sun produces heat that can be converted into energy.

For this experiment, you will need:• two plastic bottles – one painted white and the

other painted black • two balloons to fit over the bottle tops Procedure:• Place a balloon over each bottle top, making sure

it is an air-tight seal. • Put both bottles outside in bright sun. • After a short while, the balloon on the black

bottle will start to inflate. • The balloon on the white bottle will not. • By touching the bottles, you will see that the

black bottle feels warmer.