 Solar energy is the result of thermonuclear
fusion reactions deep within the sun.
 Solar energy is the most abundant and
most powerful energy source in the planet.
 Enough solar energy hits the earth in one
hour to power the world for a year.
 Solar Energy can be harvested through
use of photovoltaic cells.
 Photovoltaic cells work by
photons from sunlight knocking
electrons into a higher state
of energy, creating electricity.
 Photovoltaic “solar cells” change sunlight
directly into electricity.
 PV systems are often used in remote
locations that are not connected to the
electric grid.
 used to power watches, calculators, and
lighted road signs
 Solar Power Plants - indirectly generate
electricity when the heat from solar thermal
collectors is used to heat a fluid which
produces steam that is used to power a
generator.
 Produces a direct electrical current that
can power equipment or recharge
batteries
 Can be used to power orbiting satellites,
electronic devices, and homes.
 Today less than 0.1% of our heating, transportation
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and power energy comes from direct sunlight
although it is now possible to meet all our energy
needs with this renewable resource.
Energy from sun striking the earth in 40 minutes is
equal to global consumption for a year
Technology is already available
No efficient storage system is available (no energy at
night)
Currently, the answer is no. Not by itself.
 Because of large costs of solar panel installation, new policies will
have to be enacted.
 Huge tracts of land would have to be leased in order for solar plants
to become an efficient national energy source
 Government would have to provide substantial subsidies to private
home owners and companies for solar panel installation in order to
motivate them
 Private solar panel companies would have to lower prices for benefit
of consumer
 After initial investment, the
Cost
 Large initial investment ($400
upkeep and other costs are
extremely cheaper than current
electrical costs.
 Government rebates soften intial
investment.
 Does not require fuel and is
therefore immune to the rising
gas prices
 Indirectly lowers health costs
billion)
 Cost to build solar panels is
substantial
 Extremely large government
investment required in order to
support widespread installation
Overall, solar energy would eventually pay off the
large initial investment and more.
Environmental Concerns
 Does not emit harmful byproducts (none in fact)
 does not contribute to global
warming, acid rain or smog.
 By not using any fuel, Solar
Energy does not contribute to
the cost and problems of the
recovery and transportation of
fuel or the storage of
radioactive waste.
AL GORE!!!
 Requires large tracts of land
Efficiency
 Solar Energy can be utilized to
 Solar panels require quite a
offset utility-supplied energy
consumption. It does not only
reduce electricity costs, but will
also continue to supply
electricity in the event of a
power outage.
 A Solar Energy system can
operate entirely independently,
not requiring a connection to a
power or gas grid at all.
large area for installation to
achieve a good level of
efficiency. (no energy at night)
 The efficiency of the system
also relies on the location of the
sun. Also, efficiency, is lowered
by pollution and clouds.
 No good way to store the
electricity.
The main problem is that little or no energy can be obtained at night.
If there was a better way of storing the electricity, this problem could be solved
Other
 The amount of sunlight that arrives at the earth's surface
is not constant. It depends on location, time of day, time
of year, and weather conditions.
 Because the sun doesn't deliver that much energy to any
one place at any one time, a large surface area is
required to collect the energy at a useful rate.
 Solar energy is free, and its supplies are unlimited.
Using solar energy produces no air or water pollution
but does have some indirect impacts on the environment.
For example, manufacturing the photovoltaic cells used
to convert sunlight into electricity, consumes silicon and
produces some waste products.
 Solar Energy has the potential to supply the world’s
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electricity
However, large-scale government support is needed
There is an energy crisis
Solar energy is not a solution by itself because of lack of
technology for storage.
it should be supplemented by other alternative energy
sources, such as wind.