Solar Power

Kieran Burrell Class 608

What is Solar Power?

• Solar power is energy which comes from the Sun. This energy is very powerful and hits the Earth regardless whether or not we take advantage of it. Even the tiny percentage of sunlight that touches the earth is plenty to meet the energy and power needs of the entire human population 8,500 times.

Where does Solar Power come from?• Solar energy is making a big impact today

and most ask where does solar power come from. Imagine a home that is powered by a residential solar energy system. This home is electric 24 hours a day. You could watch TV all day, keep the lights on, and not have to worry about an electric bill! So, where does it come from? The electric had to come from somewhere and it was known to be batteries.

How was Solar Energy formed?• Solar energy forms as light from the sun

is converted to electricity by solar cells. These cells, being made of silicon which is a semiconductor, produce photovoltaic electricity. Silicon for photovoltaic cells is first manufactured by altering it to form two types of semiconductor materials, which are joined together.

How does Solar Power make How does Solar Power make electricity?electricity?

The Sun’s light (and all light) contains The Sun’s light (and all light) contains energy. Usually, when light hits an energy. Usually, when light hits an object the energy turns into heat, object the energy turns into heat, like the warmth you feel while sitting like the warmth you feel while sitting in the sun. But when light hits certain in the sun. But when light hits certain materials the energy turns into an materials the energy turns into an electrical current instead, which we electrical current instead, which we can then harness for power. can then harness for power.

AdvantagesAdvantages

Solar power is free-it needs no fuel and Solar power is free-it needs no fuel and produces no waste.produces no waste.

In sunny countries, solar power can be In sunny countries, solar power can be used where there is no easy way to get used where there is no easy way to get electricity to a remote place.electricity to a remote place.

Handy for low-power uses such as solar Handy for low-power uses such as solar powered garden lights and battery powered garden lights and battery chargers, or for helping your home energy chargers, or for helping your home energy bills.bills.

Solar power is non-polluting.Solar power is non-polluting.

DisadvantagesDisadvantages

Doesn’t work at night.Doesn’t work at night. Very expensive to build solar power Very expensive to build solar power

stations, although the cost is coming down stations, although the cost is coming down as technology improves.as technology improves.

Can be unreliable unless you’re in a very Can be unreliable unless you’re in a very sunny climate.sunny climate.

The Solar cells and solar panels that are The Solar cells and solar panels that are needed to harness solar energy tend to be needed to harness solar energy tend to be very expensive when you first purchase very expensive when you first purchase them. them.

Renewable or Non-Renewable or Non-Renewable?Renewable?

Solar power is Solar power is renewable. renewable. The Sun will The Sun will keep on shining anyway, so it makes keep on shining anyway, so it makes sense to use it. It is renewable because sense to use it. It is renewable because the Sun can never run out and besides the Sun can never run out and besides coal and oil, this resource can be reused coal and oil, this resource can be reused over and over again with no problem. over and over again with no problem. Solar power is something that the earth Solar power is something that the earth doesn’t need to be waited on to doesn’t need to be waited on to reproduce like fossil fuels or non-reproduce like fossil fuels or non-renewable sources. renewable sources.

SummarySummarySolar power is renewableSolar power is renewable

3 main ways to use it:-3 main ways to use it:-

Sun heats water in panels on your roofSun heats water in panels on your roof

Solar cells make electricity from sunlightSolar cells make electricity from sunlight

Solar furnaceSolar furnace

Solar cells are expensiveSolar cells are expensive

Solar power isn’t much use unless you live Solar power isn’t much use unless you live somewhere sunnysomewhere sunny

Doesn’t cause pollution, doesn’t need fuelDoesn’t cause pollution, doesn’t need fuel

Quiz: Solar PowerQuiz: Solar Power

Solar power is ___________, and does not Solar power is ___________, and does not produce any _________ when in use.produce any _________ when in use.

If you install solar power at home, it If you install solar power at home, it might be ____ cells to help your might be ____ cells to help your electricity, or solar _______ heating.electricity, or solar _______ heating.

PV cells are ___________ to make PV cells are ___________ to make compared to the amount of ____________ compared to the amount of ____________ they’ll produce in their lifetime.they’ll produce in their lifetime.

AnswersAnswers

Solar power is Solar power is renewable, renewable, and does notand does not produce any produce any pollutionpollution when in use. when in use.

If you install solar power at home, it If you install solar power at home, it may be may be PV PV cells to help your electricity cells to help your electricity bill, or solar bill, or solar water water heating.heating.

PV cells are PV cells are expensive expensive to make to make compared to the amount of compared to the amount of electricity electricity they’ll make in their lifetime. they’ll make in their lifetime.

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