Solar Energy

By: Fatima, Riah, Tannia, Aimee, and

Angela

How is it used to make energy?There are 3 main ways.There are 3 main ways.

1.1. Solar Cells (Photovoltaic Cells) turn light directly Solar Cells (Photovoltaic Cells) turn light directly into energy.into energy.

2.2. Glass panels, that are attached to roofs, collect the Glass panels, that are attached to roofs, collect the suns rays to heat water. This way you don’t need suns rays to heat water. This way you don’t need gas or electricity.gas or electricity.

3.3. Solar furnaces use a variety of mirrors to absorb Solar furnaces use a variety of mirrors to absorb the sun’s energy. They are cut into small mirrors the sun’s energy. They are cut into small mirrors that produce very high temperatures.that produce very high temperatures.

Continued

the sun can make electricity by a process called the sun can make electricity by a process called photovoltaics or PV. Photo refers to light and photovoltaics or PV. Photo refers to light and voltaic to voltage.voltaic to voltage.

The solar energy can be used to heat your The solar energy can be used to heat your home.home.

The sun has special effects that go on in order The sun has special effects that go on in order to make electricity, the sun is like a big to make electricity, the sun is like a big collector that turns sunlight into natural forces collector that turns sunlight into natural forces such as wind, rain and growing plants.such as wind, rain and growing plants.

How much does it cost?How much energy does it produce?

The solar energy is free.The solar energy is free.

The equipment costs several thousand dollars.The equipment costs several thousand dollars.

It produces 700-1000 watts per panel if it comes to It produces 700-1000 watts per panel if it comes to money the sun does cost any dollar it’s just nature.money the sun does cost any dollar it’s just nature.

What it means by it’s space or movement or something What it means by it’s space or movement or something like that it uses a lot of space you cant see it but it like that it uses a lot of space you cant see it but it weighs a lot it takes up pretty much a lot of space.weighs a lot it takes up pretty much a lot of space.

When you aren’t that close to the sun you don’t know When you aren’t that close to the sun you don’t know how heavy, big, hot..how heavy, big, hot..

Environment and health concerns

Most of the concerns are types of skin cancer.Most of the concerns are types of skin cancer.

Skin cancerSkin cancer

MelanomaMelanoma

Nonmelanoma skin cancersNonmelanoma skin cancers

Cataracts and other eye damageCataracts and other eye damage

And moreAnd more

Toxic chemicals are put into solar panels. Solar Toxic chemicals are put into solar panels. Solar panels don’t last forever sooner or later we would panels don’t last forever sooner or later we would have to throw it out WITH the toxic chemicals.have to throw it out WITH the toxic chemicals.

Possible Solutions

People are working on making it last longer. People are working on making it last longer. Solar panels currently last 25 years.Solar panels currently last 25 years.

Disadvantages/Negative

Too many clouds lessen the UV rays.Too many clouds lessen the UV rays.

Pollution effects the Photovoltaic Cells.Pollution effects the Photovoltaic Cells.

The equipment is very pricey.The equipment is very pricey.

When the sun isn’t out then we can’t get any When the sun isn’t out then we can’t get any power. (Solar batteries help though)power. (Solar batteries help though)

How much of Canada’s power comes from it

It can’t just randomly get power from any It can’t just randomly get power from any where.where.

The sun gives us a lot of energy every day in The sun gives us a lot of energy every day in our lives.our lives.

Advantages/Positive

It does not pollute the air.It does not pollute the air.

It doesn’t produce carbon dioxide.It doesn’t produce carbon dioxide.

When we use glass panels to heat water we When we use glass panels to heat water we cause very little impact on the environment.cause very little impact on the environment.

It is renewable and almost always available to It is renewable and almost always available to use.use.

Reliability

The solar panels work well when the sun is up The solar panels work well when the sun is up and shining, but when there are clouds and and shining, but when there are clouds and when it’s nighttime it doesn’t work.when it’s nighttime it doesn’t work.

If the solar panels are blocked then it won’t If the solar panels are blocked then it won’t work well.work well.

In what ways do you think using power from the sun changes the environment.What is different is that we don’t plug any What is different is that we don’t plug any

thing in.thing in.

Instead of using cables and that the sun is Instead of using cables and that the sun is there with nothing else on it but heat.there with nothing else on it but heat.

Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmWrGPKcMNM

Thank you