Unit 4
Solar Energy
Solar energy is the cleanest and most plentiful renewable energy source. Solar energy comes from the sun and can be used for many things, including generating electricity, light, heating and cooling homes, and heating water. It is a flexible energy technology that can be constructed as a distributed generation, like at people’s homes, or a central-station, utility-scale solar power plant. These are like traditional power plants (besides their generation methods) that most of the time have storage capabilities to store the energy after the sun sets.
Solar energy can be captured in four different ways: photovoltaics (A.K.A. solar energy), solar heating and cooling, concentration solar power, and passive solar. Active solar systems use mechanical and electrical devices to convert the sun’s light and heat to another form of energy to use. Photovoltaics, solar heating and cooling, and concentration power are all active solar systems. The most commonly used method is solar panels, normally located on rooftops to capture the sunlight. Passive solar is a method that involves a building being capable of collecting, storing, and distributing the heat energy from sunlight to maintain a comfortable temperature inside without using moving parts or electronics.
Passive Solar System |
Active Solar System |
Pros: Cons:
Abundant Expensive Installation
Environmentally Friendly Expensive Technology
Available Expensive Raw Materials
Reduces Electricity Costs Production Creates Pollution
Tax Credit
Solar energy is a very clean, unlimited source of energy that is still being developed and researched every day. It is readily available and environmentally friendly except for the waste that is created in the production process. Production is also very expensive because of the raw materials, and installation is just as pricey. The investment is normally worth it though because of the 30% tax break and reduced electricity costs. Over time, home solar energy systems normally pay themselves off while creating clean, renewable energy. Besides price being an issue, the sun itself can cause some problems. Sometimes there can be a lack of sunlight, therefore causing the effectiveness of solar energy to go down. In solar power plants, scientists are suggesting having back up sources like wind turbines in combination with solar panels. That way if there is a lack of sunlight, maybe the wind turbines can take over and vise-versa.
Solar energy is a very clean, unlimited source of energy that is still being developed and researched every day. It is readily available and environmentally friendly except for the waste that is created in the production process. Production is also very expensive because of the raw materials, and installation is just as pricey. The investment is normally worth it though because of the 30% tax break and reduced electricity costs. Over time, home solar energy systems normally pay themselves off while creating clean, renewable energy. Besides price being an issue, the sun itself can cause some problems. Sometimes there can be a lack of sunlight, therefore causing the effectiveness of solar energy to go down. In solar power plants, scientists are suggesting having back up sources like wind turbines in combination with solar panels. That way if there is a lack of sunlight, maybe the wind turbines can take over and vise-versa.
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