Solar

Shawn: shawn_smith Lori: [|lorilynne] Tammy: [|tball55] John: [|johnwilliams94] Timmy: [|13park_timr] Dane: [|dkitchen]
 * Delicious Accounts:**

**TASK:**
 * //Name of energy resource and description-John//
 * //Science behind the energy resource-John//
 * //Advantages -- Tammy//
 * //Disadvantages -- Tammy//
 * //Cost to build/install-- Shawn//
 * //Cost to operate-Dane//
 * //Are there geographic factors that are unique to this type of energy?-Timmy//
 * //What is the impact on the population? -- Lori//
 * //Health//
 * //Jobs//
 * //Space required//

//The page must include at least 5 pictures or graphics that illustrate points that you feel are crucial to understanding the energy resource. Each picture or graphic must include a caption.//

=__ Solar Energy __=

**Name/Description:**
Despite being 150 million kilometers away, the sun's energy is very useful. In fact, if we could harness it correctly, a minute of the sun's energy could last us an entire year. There are three major ways in which we harness the sun's energy. These include **solar water heating, solar furnaces, and solar cells.** In solar water heating, glass panels filled with water are placed on the roofs of homes. Shiny and black surfaces are used to attract the sun's energy and heat the water. Solar furnaces use a big array of mirrors to create high temperatures in large areas. Solar cells convert light directly into electricity. Objects as large as satellites and as small as calculators use this type of energy. These three popular methods are all examples of **active solar power**, or the use of a storage device and mechanical parts to distribute the sun's energy. The other type of method is **passive solar power**. This type consists of systems such as bricks on homes that unintentionally collect the sun's energy.

**Science Behind Resource:**
**Solar Cells** Of the three major we ways we obtain the sun's energy, solar cells contain the most scientific background. Solar cells are **photovoltaic.** This means that when sunlight strikes the solar cell, electrons are knocked loose. These electrons then travel to another surface of the cell, making each side unbalanced. The side the electrons travel to becomes negative, while the original surface becomes positive with a lack of electrons. When the two surfaces are connected by a connector, such as a wire, they create an electric current.This process is illustrated in the image below.

//The image pictured to the left shows the process of creating energy with solar cells. Sunlight reaches the cell, exciting electrons. These electrons become excited and travel to the dark blue surface of the cell. The dark and light blue surfaces become unbalanced. A wire is added between the positive and negative surfaces to create electricity.//

**Solar Furnaces** Solar furnaces are also a common method of using solar energy. Also known as concentrated solar power, these systems use lenses or mirrors to concentrate a large area of solar thermal energy, or sunlight, onto a small area. This light is then converted into heat. This process occurs when electrons of the lenses absorb the photons of the light. This makes the electrons "excited" and the whole atom moves. These movements produce heat. Electrical power is then produced from the heat through the use of heat engines. An example of a heat engine is a steam turbine. These devices extract thermal energy from steam to create rotary motion. These machines are used to drive electrical generators. In fact, 80% of electricity generation in the world comes from steam turbines. //The image pictured above shows the process of using the sun's energy for solar furnaces. Here, reflective surfaces are placed on hills facing a tower. A parabolic, or curved, mirror, faces the tower and furnace. Because of this, the heat from these mirrors are transported to the furnace.//

**Solar Water Heating** Solar water heating is another popular way of using the sun's energy. In these systems, storage tanks are placed directly below solar collectors on the roofs of buildings. Dark colors are used on the tanks in order to attract the sun's energy. Because of water's ability to evaporate, no pumping is required to transport the gas into the solar collectors. The solar collectors are then connected to controllers which can regulate temperatures of the water. If the water is hot enough, it can then be used inside homes. These systems are used in many areas, including cold climate areas thanks to the use of antifreeze.

//The image pictured above shows the process of solar water heating. This example uses a pump, which is optional, to transport the water to the storage tanks. This water will then be regulated by a controller which will be heated by a boiler and sent to taps.//

Geographic Factors
Solar power is being more widely used in the world than ever before. It is not being used for mass power, but more in products like calculators that are used mainly in lighted areas. Also, solar cells are being used to charge devices like batteries in developing countries that are not as wealthy as countries like the United States and Europe. Solar is being used in these countries because solar is more reliable and less expensive than diesel generators that need constant maintenance and fuel. These simple solar devices that can be placed on houses help the poorer countries because they are cheap to install and provide them with clean drinking water, ways to communicate, and sometimes television.

In the United States, California is the leader with roughly half of all solar power generated in the country. It rose to become the 3rd largest solar energy market in the world. Their biggest project is covering a parking lot at the Sacramento International Airport by using solar arrays to cover the cars. This gives the Southwest region of the United States a great chance to become a leader in solar power of the whole country. The leader in solar energy in the whole world is in Germany and Spain. Germany as installed the most megawatts of solar power and Spain became the leader in solar thermal power production. This makes Europe the global headquarters for solar energy. Also, there are plans to put huge solar farms in the deserts of North Africa. With the deserts tremendous amount of sun, the solar energy is estimated to be enough to power all of Europe.

In the United States, some factors have to be taken into consideration before trying to use solar as your main source of energy. Sunlight varies because of cloud cover and the latitude at which you are. Long summer days have much daylight and a higher sun angle. This provides you with more solar power. Winter days, however, have the sun at a lower angle and the sun is not out for as many hours.

**Cost to Build/Install:**
For premade solar panels, a single panel can cost about $900, or $12 per watt. A medium sized system to provide power to a small or very energy efficient house might cost $25,000 and a solar system to power a large house could cost $50,000+. Many people don't know this but you can actually build your own solar panel for around only $200. The price of solar energy was 7 times higher just 20 years ago. Due to the higher demand and better technology the price has been able to take a plummet. Experts say the price will continue to decline because of the increasing renewable energy market. Keep in mind the total cost will include the price of the solar panels, panel mounts, and the inverter along with the cost of labor for installation.



//Shown above is a premade solar panel used to absorb and store the energy of the sun.//

= **Cost to Operate:** =

Solar power varies greatly in cost to operate. Depending on how much sunlight your panels are exposed to the cost could be very little to extremely expensive. The more sunlight the cheaper the cost will be. For the most part you would be looking at about $0.15-$0.18 a kilowatt hour (the amount of money needed for a kilowatt of power for an hour). The average household consumes roughly 7,200 watts of energy a year or about $72,000 dollars worth of solar power. While using normal electricity you only pay roughly $0.05-$0.18 per kilowatt hour.

//The picture above shows the high cost of energy through solar power compared to coal, oil, and gas.//

**Advantages & Disadvantages:**

 * Disadvantages:** -
 * When people are producing solar panels they have leftover stuff like Silicon Tetrachloride, and they have to dispose of it, which can pollute.
 * When creating solar panels the manufacturers have to use energy, which pollutes the air, creates heavy metal emissions, and greenhouse gases.
 * Cannot use solar energy during the night, making the energy run out throughout the night for factories and other companies run throughout the night.
 * The use solar energy is difficult when it is very dense and foggy outside.
 * A diffuse source means low energy production.
 * Panels are required to produce useful amounts of heat or electricity.
 * Only areas of the world with excess sunlight are suitable for solar powered generation.
 * Expenses for material, complexity for designing, and installations are high, making this energy source an expensive one for our nation and world.


 * Advantages:**
 * Using solar panels will not pollute the air.
 * Using solar panels will not release carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, sulphur dioxide, or mercury into the atmosphere; as many traditional forms of electrical generation do.
 * The solar panels operate silently, have no moving parts, and don't release offensive smells, making this energy source suitable for society.
 * This energy source will not contribute to acid rain, global warming, or smog. (There's no pollution from this source.)
 * Inexhaustible fuel source comes with this energy source.
 * Solar power energy is a supplement to other renewable sources, such as wind power or hydroelectric powering sources.
 * Solar powered energy is very versatile: It is known to power cars and satellites.
 * Solar power reaches where wires can't reach; such as deep woods, vacant areas, and outer space.
 * Farming and agricultural suppliers rely on solar energy by building barns accessible to sunlight lighting during the day; saving them money on electricity bills.
 * Sunlight is free of cost.
 * Solar panels are dependable; they can sit upon roofs and can be avoided from damage of ground materials, such animals and cars.

// The picture above shows the disadvantage of solar energy in regards to area used to supply space for the solar panels. This picture also represents the amount of solar panels that is consuming the agricultural land in this town. // http://solarpowerpanels.ws/solar-panels/solar-farms-environmental-impact

= = = = = Impact on the Population: =

Health:
The latest solar power systems radiate high levels of electromagnetic radiation. For people who suffer from Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity, a condition in which the person is effected by exposure to electric and magnetic fields, the radiation given off by the solar power systems could cause many problems. The symptoms can be as common as the typical headache so the person may not even know there is a problem. Another health risk involved with solar panels is the main building block- silicon. If inhaled, Silicon can cause chronic respiration effects. Such exposure can result in silicosis, a lung disease causing scar tissue formation, which reduces the lungs oxygen producing abilities. Also, there are fifty cancer-causing chemicals used in the building of the panels so workers who are manufacturing and disposing of these panels are at risk.

On the other hand, solar power doesn't put out pollutants that might make someone sick. It doesn't release toxins or allergens, as opposed to kerosene, which produces enough of both to do damage equal to what two packs of cigarettes a day would do. Also, since solar power uses natural sunlight, it provides similar benefits. The sunlight reduces stress in the body, helps control depression, and helps with concentration. The natural light is less harmful to the eyes and produces Vitamin D, which is big in the prevention of cancer, osteoporosis, and other illnesses.

Jobs:
Jobs in the solar power industry are quickly rising as more and more positions are created. These days, the most popular jobs in solar power are installation, engineering, and sales and maintenance. This field uses many different skills so no matter if you're into PR, politics, or writing, there's a place for you in the solar power field. Nearly employing 100.000 Americans across all fifty states now, it is estimated that by 2016 there will be over 500,000. Solar energy resources can be found anywhere throughout the US so it can benefit every state with careers.

// Pictured here a re two solar panel installers. They have a high school diploma and experience in mechanical, electrical, or construction work. Their job is to plan for and set up the systems.They work with clients to decide which type of system is best for them and where the best location for the system is. //

//http://www.ascsolar.com/solar-for-homes.asp//

Space Required:
Usually the panels are three-by-five foot cells but they can also be found in the form of roof tiles or be blended with the usual building supplies such as windows or siding. In good sunlight, one square foot of a solar panel will put out 10 watts of power, although the size of the system mainly depends on the needs of a persons' individual home and the amount of energy used there. If putting the system on the roof, the roof space needed will depend on which module is used. Typically, each kilowatt will take around 85 square feet of roof space. While the most common place to mount the systems is on the roof of the home, they can also be mounted on the ground although this method costs more because the systems are bigger. The total cost, however, depends on how much power is needed. The more power, the bigger the system, the higher the cost.

//Here is a picture of solar panels that are mounted on the roof.// //Space-wise they take up the entire roof.// // Here is a picture of solar panels that are mounted on the ground. // // Space-wise they take up a few feet of ground for each panel. // //http://www.inverter-china.com/blog/articles/solar-energy///