Solar EnergySolar Energy

George Stone, Richard SchiavoneGeorge Stone, Richard Schiavone

General description of Solar EnergyGeneral description of Solar Energy

Concentrated solar power systems use lenses or Concentrated solar power systems use lenses or mirrors and tracking systems to focus a large mirrors and tracking systems to focus a large area of sunlight into a small beam. Photovoltaic area of sunlight into a small beam. Photovoltaic converts light into electric current using the converts light into electric current using the photoelectric effect.photoelectric effect.

Photovoltaic is a method of generating electrical Photovoltaic is a method of generating electrical power by converting solar radiation into direct power by converting solar radiation into direct current electricity using semiconductors that current electricity using semiconductors that exhibit the photovoltaic effect.exhibit the photovoltaic effect.

Thermal power plantsThermal power plants In solar thermal power plants the solar radiation is

tracked by large mirror fields which concentrate the energy towards absorbers.

The fluid is heated by the mirrors and is used to create steam to turn turbines to turn generators.

Solar Energy AdvantagesSolar Energy Advantages

Saves you money Saves you money

Environmentally friendlyEnvironmentally friendly

Independent/ semi-independentIndependent/ semi-independent

Low/ no maintenanceLow/ no maintenance

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYeynLy6pj8&feature=relatedhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYeynLy6pj8&feature=related

Solar energy Disadvantages

Initially they have a high cost a large area for installation relies on the location of the sun no solar energy will be produced during

nighttime but a battery backup system or net metering is a back up

Where is solar energy Where is solar energy most abundant?most abundant?

New Mexico and Arizona are red hot with New Mexico and Arizona are red hot with solar potential, and California, Nevada, solar potential, and California, Nevada, Texas, Utah and Colorado also have large Texas, Utah and Colorado also have large areas highly favorable for PV areas highly favorable for PV developmentdevelopment

Solar cells are a solid state device that Solar cells are a solid state device that converts the energy of sunlight directly converts the energy of sunlight directly into electricity by the photovoltaic effect into electricity by the photovoltaic effect

Solar panels on housing Solar panels on housing This way of heating and cooling your house with This way of heating and cooling your house with

the suns rays are typically gonna reduce the cost the suns rays are typically gonna reduce the cost of energy that you initially payof energy that you initially pay

However they are very expensive to install However they are very expensive to install ranging from $400 to $800 per panel not ranging from $400 to $800 per panel not including contracter fees which is a disadvantage. including contracter fees which is a disadvantage.

Most people make 400 to 800 dollars in one pay Most people make 400 to 800 dollars in one pay check but that doesn’t mean they can pay the check but that doesn’t mean they can pay the cost right off. You will not be charged electricity cost right off. You will not be charged electricity bills since you make your own power but you can bills since you make your own power but you can switch to city power with the slick of a switchswitch to city power with the slick of a switch

videosvideos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmWrGPKcMNM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ja3-JW7cKos