Solar Energy Monyah Salih What is Solar Energy? • To put it simply solar energy is energy that comes from the sun, it is the light and heat from the sun that is harnessed using technologies like solar panels. Solar energy is often seen as an alternative to fossil fuels, as it is renewable and considered green energy. How Solar Energy Works How Do Solar Panels Work? • Solar panels, or photovoltaics (PV), generate an electric current by catching light particles from the sun photons. The photons then knock free the electrons in the panels’ solar cells and produce an electric current. This current is transferred to wires that lead to an inverter, which then converts this energy into AC power for use in various ways, such as homes or everyday electricity. This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND How Efficient is Solar Energy? • The more efficient the solar panel, the more energy output there will be per the amount of light energy hitting the panel, most solar panels provide an energy efficiency rating between 11 and 15 percent of usable electricity, while there are panels that can convert 40% of the solar energy, they are not in use much as much as they are more expensive. There are also a lot of reasons that might hinder energy absorption and conversions such as: The angle in which light is passing through Temperature can impact the overall output. Higher temperatures can reduce output and lower efficiency. Even a small shaded area on solar panels can greatly reduce their output. Environmental Impact of Solar Energy • As mentioned previously, solar energy is seen as an alternative to fossil fuels and considered renewable and green energy. Unlike fossil fuels, the sun provides an amazing resource for generating clean and sustainable electricity without toxic pollution or global warming emissions. However, all things must be considered, like the fact that solar farms need a lot of space, resulting in land degradation and habitat loss. Summarized Pro’s and Con’s of Solar Energy Pro’s Con’s Environmentally friendly Expensive Energy independence Won’t work at night Sustainable Limited energy storage Low maintenance Larger areas needed Available to homeowners Depends on location • Solar energy is the light and heat from the sun that is harnessed using technologies like solar panels • Solar panels take the suns light and converts it into usable energy. • Most solar panels provide an energy efficiency rating between 11 and 15 percent of usable electricity and a lot of factors can affect this efficiency • Takes a lot of space to generate enough energy, can cause land degradation and habitat loss. Important Points • 4, E. N., Ecohome, & Krull, K. (n.d.). How do solar panels work? Ecohome. Retrieved October 8, 2021, from https://www.ecohome.net/guides/2211/all-about-solarpanels-the-different-options-and-how-they-work/. • Environmental impacts of solar power. Union of Concerned Scientists. (n.d.). Retrieved October 8, 2021, from https://www.ucsusa.org/resources/environmental-impactssolar-power. Sources • Login, A. (n.d.). Is Solar Power Worth the investment? Empire Renewable Energy, LLC | Subsidiary of EMPIRE SOUTHWEST, LLC. Retrieved October 8, 2021, from http://solarbyempire.com/why-solar/solar-panel-efficiency. • What is solar energy?: Solar defined pros and cons. Just Energy. (2021, July 13). Retrieved October 8, 2021, from https://justenergy.com/blog/what-is-solar-energy/. Thank You