Solar

= A Solar Reality =

1. What is the problem at hand? As everyone knows there is an enormous demand for electricity and heat in this world. The traditional outlook is to use the most efficient and readily available resources. The primary resources used are coal and oil to which there seems to be an endless amount. However, these two resources emit large amounts of dangerous Carbon Dioxide. This Carbon Dioxide is released into the atmosphere. Once in the atmosphere the Carbon Dioxide does a sufficient job absorbing and trapping the sun's ultra violet and infrared rays. This in turn causes the temperature in the atmosphere is increase because the rays are not only being absorbed at a higher percentage, but of those that are not, they are being prevented from exiting the atmosphere. This is where solar power comes into play.

2. What is the driving force of the problem? The driving force for [|solar power][|r]is to bring down pollution and the release of greenhouse gases. An additional perspective of solar power is the fact that it will always be available and its use will lengthen the the lifespan of other natural resources such as coal, oil, and natural gas that are not perpetual. Solar power could easily support 50% of the United States electricity needs by 2050.

3. What are poeple currently doing or not doing to solve the problem? Thousands of businesses and individuals have already began installing photovoltaic cells, solar thermal systems, and active solar systems. The United States currently has a few large solar farms all across the nation. As well as this, there is an increasing interest in renewable energy resources because of the rising fuel prices and global warming issue. However, there are those that think there will always be oil, coal, and a cool, comfortable climate to live it.

4. Pick your favorite of the following list SOLAR POWER!!!!!

5. **Explain how it works. THIS IS A BIG ONE!** [|How it Works]media type="youtube" key="DFDn6eTV0jQ?version=3" height="390" width="640" The idea behind solar energy is through the use of solar panels. Solar panels have special cells that transfer the energy radiated by the sun into usable energy for consumption. Solar cells are found in many forms of modern day technology from simple calculators and watches to the large solar panels. These cells are also known as photovoltaic cells. Photovoltaic cells are the miracle cells that enable people to convert photons (particles of light) into Electrons (electricity). When grouped together in a module, or group of cells, they can be constructed into numerous size commercial or [|homemade solar panels] that could be used to harness energy. They are made up of materials called semiconductors. Semiconductors are made from a wide variety of elements, but silicon is the most exclusive elements used. When the photons of light meet these cells, a fraction of the light is absorbed by the semiconductor, consequently causing the energy inherent in the photons to be transferred into the semiconductor. This process then causes electrons to rise to a higher state of energy, enabling an electric current to flow through the material. At the same time these cells create an electric field that forces these excited electrons to flow as a current in a particular direction. By placing pieces of metal at the top and bottom of the cell, the voltage or power created by the current can be extracted for practical energy use. This process on a grand scale can create an enormous amount of energy by creating solar panel farms. 6. determine the amount of CO2 it produces or inhibits (THIS REQUIRES A STOICHIOMETRY EQUATION!) Solar power is perpetual resources which does not require any CO2 in order to produce electricity or heat. However, some CO2 is emitted in the creation of the photovoltaic cells and other materials used to collect this suns energy.

7. determine the amount of water it can generate or purify There are modern systems that use photovoltaic cells to purify 30,000 gallons of water per day. Imagine creating 1,000 of these systems and you could be producing 30 million gallons of purified water every day.

8. highlight the best aspects of it The best aspects of solar power are that it is a renewable resource and it can be used in a variety of ways. As long as the sun is shining, there is solar energy to be had. From creating electricity with photovoltaic cells, to heating water with solar thermal systems to keeping a house warm with a simple active construction design, solar power is exceptional. If there is one this that this world should utilize, it is the sun. Plants and animals survive because of it and humans should start too. 9. describe how the critics would discuss it Critics claim that solar power is not cost efficient. The initial prices to build these systems take several years to pay off at the owners expense. Then, by the time they are paid off, the cells will need to be repaired or replaced. Another complaint of solar farms is that the land required to create such a farm is vast and could be used for better, more attractive things. In addition to this, the majority of places to which solar farms would be most efficient are places that Americans use for recreation and living.

10. If it already makes up a lot of the world's fuel/energy supply explailn why.

11. If it doesn't make up much of the world's fuel/energy supply explain why. Although solar power technology is not a primary solution in the world, the use of solar panels continues to slowly grow worldwide. One of the main reasons why this technology has not been more widespread is because of the star-up costs involved with building solar panel farms. The parts and materials required to build solar panels alone are expensive to manufacture, not to mention the fact that there are limited number of factories that have the capability to construct them. The polycrystalline silicon, which is used as the semiconductor to convert sunlight to usable energy has been in short supply for a long period of time. This substance is also used in computer production, which has brought down the cost of manufacturing it, but the amount of material needed to build such vast solar arrays will still cost a fortune to invest. Similar to he wind industry, the solar industry has yet to receive a significant amount of subsidies from the US government and governments worldwide to increase production of solar technology, leaving this form of renewable energy a slow growing solution to CO2 emissions.

13. YOU MUST include quotes from scientists or policy makers. JIMMY CARTER, televised speech, Apr. 18, 1977
 * **QUOTES ON SOLAR POWER** ||
 * Because we are now running out of gas and oil, we must prepare quickly for a third change, to strict conservation and to the use of coal and permanent renewable energy sources, like solar power.
 * Because we are now running out of gas and oil, we must prepare quickly for a third change, to strict conservation and to the use of coal and permanent renewable energy sources, like solar power.

We need to drive the cost of solar energy down to where it's competitive for bulk power generation.

JIM DIPESO, speech, Sept. 13, 2003

The use of solar energy offers huge potential for natural resource and climate protection, and for the expansion of renewable energies on the road to a future-oriented energy supply.

MARGARETA WOLF, speech, Jun. 20, 2004

As the technology for solar cells gets better and better, this form of clean, renewable energy will find more applications that take up less space and produce more electricity, to meet the energy needs of our homes, schools and businesses.

SAMUEL BODMAN, speech, July 14, 2005

The use of solar energy has not been opened up because the oil industry does not own the sun.

RALPH NADER, //Loose Talk//

I think we need to take positive steps toward space solar-power systems. We need to move in a step-by-step manner. It's a real possibility to have a great new energy source for mankind.

DANA ROHRABACHER, Space.com, Mar. 5, 2001

Clearly, we need more incentives to quickly increase the use of wind and solar power; they will cut costs, increase our energy independence and our national security and reduce the consequences of global warming.

HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON, speech at Cleantech Venture Forum VIII, Oct. 25, 2005 ||

14. Explain how it could help solve some of the problems or contributes to those problems. For every Kw of energy harnessed by [|solar power]panels, experts estimate that an astonishing that 150lbs. of coal from being mined, 300lbs. of CO2 can be prevented from being expelled into the atmosphere and 105 gallons of water can be saved.

15. Explalin what it would take to do your thing better or in a larger scale. In order to produce 35% of the United States energy needs through solar power, the federal government would have to cough up a measly 400 billion dollars. They would then utilize 30,000 square miles of the best land to get sunlight. This would then create an estimated 2,900 gigawatt of total capacity. In addition this this, -solar panel efficiency needs to be increased from 22% TO 40%. -useless desert areas should be utilized for solar farms -batteries must be modified to retain more energy and hold it for larger periods of time -new DC lines will have to be created across the country to transport the energy

16. Explain who uses that technology and why. If it isn't used very much explain that instead. This solar technology is primarily used by large companies and wealthy individuals. It tends to be too expensive for the normal citizen and it is not popular enough for a large amount of use, however it is certainly gaining in popularity as most new construction incorporates some form of solar energy. LEED certificates and standards draw in many businesses to strive for self sufficient buildings. As well as this, tax incentives are available for for building that meet LEED standards and the level of standards that they meet determines the amount of incentives.

17. After learning about it what would you do next to change how its used? why? Solar Technology is essentially a no-brainer for investors. If most investors, including world governments would realize the long term benefits of supporting solar technology, they would see that they would save money down the road because energy costs would be dirt cheap. In order for the costs of producing solar technology to decrease, scientists need to research alternative methods of constructing solar panel materials so that companies will have more of an incentive to produce solar panels on a grand scale. As a mass amount of land all over the world remains unused by people, the only way to increase the energy output of solar panels is to simply create more panels and make use of this unused land. Until more solar panel farms are constructed, the benefits to the environment and to society will not be conspicuous. Instead of focusing on phrases such as "drill baby drill", society as a whole should focus on the great orb in sky. Without the sun, life on Earth would be nonexistent. Harnessing its energy is an easy and simple alternative that will ultimately show amazing benefits on a long term scale.

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