Solar EnergyJoe Kearns

Kevin Phelps

Our Hypothesis

• Solar Power has potential to, at least partly, slow down the negative environmental effects of global climate change• Viable alternative to fossil fuels

Advantages

• Most abundant source of energy on Earth• No resource competition between nations• Cannot be manipulated by governments or corporations• No harmful emissions or negative externalities

Problems

• Not enough investment in new technology or engineering• Need advanced batteries to store electricity

Environmental Aspects

Global Climate Change

• Fossil fuels are responsible for climate change• Need for an alternative energy source

The Sun

• Responsible for all sources of energy on Earth• Second Law of Thermodynamics

Intro to Solar Power

• Solar power more powerful and efficient than all other secondary forms of energy• Solar energy only accounts for 0.7% of global energy consumption in

2013

Technological Aspects

Off Grid Homes

Off Grid Homes

• Not connected to the main electrical grid• Power generated with renewable solar energy

sources

PV Cells

Powers applications like off grid homes

PV Cells

• Use semi-conductor to absorb photons• When have enough energy, displace electrons from material they are

manufactured with • Use no fuel• Positive and negative side, creates voltage potential

Concentrated Solar Power Plants

Concentrated Solar Power Plants

• Solar Dish• Parabolic Trough• Solar Power Tower

Ben-Gurion National Solar Energy Center

• National alternative energy institute of Israel• Location of the world’s largest solar energy

dish

Solar Energy Generating Systems (Parabolic Trough)• 3 separate locations• 354 megawatts or 474,700 horsepower• World’s second largest solar thermal

energy generating facility

Ivanpah Solar Power Tower

• Located in Mojave Desert in California• 377 megawatts • Powers 140,000 homes• World’s largest solar thermal energy

generating facility

Social Aspects

Growth in Solar Energy

• 2000-08: Solar Power usage increased 40% annually in the U.S.• By 2020, 10% of electricity generation will come from solar;

Dec. 2014: just 0.45%• 8% PV Cell• 2% Concentrated Solar Power Plants

Solar Power Growth and a Conducive Economic Future• German think tank Angora Energiewende published

report saying that solar power’s cost relative to other energy sources is declining• By 2025, the cost of producing power in central and

southern Europe will have declined to between 4 and 6 cents per kilowatt hour, and by 2050 to as low as 2 to 4 cents• Soon to be the cheapest source of energy in many

parts of the world

Concluding Questions

• Will the changing economic and environmental conditions be sufficient to spark enough growth in solar power?• In what aspects will solar power be most prominent? • Where might solar power fall short?

Wrap-Up

• Solar Power can help address global climate change• It already has several useful modern applications• More favorable economic conditions and more negative

environmental conditions make the present a ripe time to conduct further research and investment in solar energy