Solar Energy
Joe 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