Operation S.M.A.R.T.

Girls Incorporated® of Greater Houston

Solar Energy Workshop

Sponsored by

Solar Power

– Solar power is energy from the Sun.

Solar Energy

Solar Energy– Refers to direct use of the Solar Power.– Energy arrives on Earth as light and heat.

(Radiant Energy)

The Sun

Located at the Center of Solar System;

150,000,000 kilometers from Earth.

1 million degrees Celsius at the Core.

Only a small portion of energy produced (by the Sun) reaches Earth.

Harnessing Solar Energy

Three kinds of Technology:

– Solar Reflectors

– Solar Collectors

– Photovoltaic Cells –or- Solar Cells

Reflectors

Use special lenses/mirrors that concentrate the sun’s rays to produce heat.

Used to generate electricity, melt metals, cook foods, etc.

Collectors

Converts radiant energy into heat.Used to heat building & provide hot water

to homes.Two types of collectors:

– ACTIVE– PASSIVE

Photovoltaic/Solar Cells

Capture the Sun’s energy and convert it into electricity.

Photovoltaic/Solar Cells

What are they made out of?– Two layers of silicon with chemicals in the

middle.– One layer contains boron, which gives it a

Negative charge (“N” layer).– Other layer has phosphorous which give it a

Positive charge (“P” layer).

Photovoltaic Systems

How do they work?– When you attach conducting wires (from

generator) to the “P” and “N” layers, a power source is formed.

– When the power source is exposed to sunlight, electrons flow from one layer to the other to produce electricity.

Photovoltaic Systems

Some History– Developed in 1954 through the space program.– Were originally used as a means of recharging

batteries and powering various systems in space crafts.

– Currently used to produce electricity to power satellites in space.

Advantages of using Solar Energy

It’s free.

It’s renewable.

It’s the cleanest and most exhaustible source of energy.

Disadvantages of using Solar Energy

Power levels can vary. – Some days have little or no sun.

It’s expensive to produce.– The high cost of solar energy technology stops

it from being more widely used.