Solar Energy

By: Kyle McPhail

Facts

• Solar energy is radiant light and heat from the sun

• Every hour the sun beams down enough energy to power to planet for an entire year

• When sunlight hits the cells on a solar panel, it knocks electrons loose from their atoms, as the electrons flow, they generate electricity.

• There are many different forms of solar power including solar photovoltaic power, solar thermal energy, and passive solar energy

How it Works

• The suns light contains energy, which is usually heat, but when the light hits certain objects it turns into energy

• When light hits the bonds between the atoms, it gets absorbed and has a higher energy level and can move around freely

• Older solar panels use large crystals made of silicon, and the newer ones use smaller and cheaper crystals such as copper-indium-gallium- selenide