Solar power project

Solar PowerBy Zach Amaral

What is Solar Power?• Solar Power is the conversion of

sunlight into electricity.

• It directly uses photovoltaics (PV) or indirectly uses Concentrated Solar Power (CSP).

• CSP uses lenses, mirrors and tracking systems to focus a large area of sunlight into a small beam.

• CSP's were first developed in the 1980's.

• The concentrated heat from a CSP is used as a heat source for most power plants.

• PV's were invented to be used for small and medium sized applications and still are.

• Some examples of PV's are calculators, microwaves, and radios.

• PV's are an important and inexpensive source of electrical energy.

• PV's covert sunlight into currents by using the photoelectric effect.

How Solar Power Works• Solar panels convert the sun's

energy into electricity.

• Then a controlled device converts the electricity so it is able to power electrical items in your house.

• The electricity then passes through a breaker box which distributes the electricity into your house.

• Then all items plugged into electrical outlets have power.

History• 1767- The first solar collector was created by a Swiss scientist

named Horace-Benedict de Saussure.

• 1839- A French scientist named Edmond Becquerel discovered Photovoltaics which was a huge milestone at the time.

• 1916- The scientist Robert Millikan found experimental evidence on the photoelectric effect.

• 1947- Solar Power started to become more popular in the USA after the Second World War. There was a huge demand for Solar Power from the people.

• 1958- Solar Power was used in space to power things such as satellites and space stations.

• 1981- Paul Macready made the first solar powered aircraft. The aircraft flew from France to England.

• 1982- The first solar powered car was made in Australia.

• 1999- The largest Solar Power plant was made at its time producing more than 20 Kilowatts.

• 2012- There have been record breaking solar plants in China and India.

Pros for Solar Energy• Solar power itself is free but the equipment needed is not.

• Does not cause pollution.

• Can be used in remote areas.

• Many everyday items are powered by solar power.

• Solar energy will never end unlike other types of electricity.

• Solar Power can be installed on many rooftops so you don't have to find the land for solar power placement.

Cons for Solar Energy• Solar power only works in daytime

when it is sunny.

• Solar panels, collectors, and cells are relatively expensive.

• Solar power stations are very expensive and do not match every single power station.

• In countries that have unreliable climate, solar power would be an unreliable source of electricity.

• Large areas of land are needed.

Cost of Solar Power • Depending on the location and the

design, the typical installation rate is 3-7 kilowatts and costs between 18k and 40k.

• All of the equipment costs take up 45% of the final price.

• Solar Panels(4.5k-12k), Power Inverter(1k-3k), mounting hardware(800$-2k), and Wiring(1k-2k).

• Installation and permitting costs take up 25%.

• System Installation(2k-4k), and permits and fees(3k-6k).

• Sales, marketing, and operational costs is 30%.

• Monitoring(1k-3k), maintenance and repairs will depend on the part that is needed to be fixed.

• Additional operational and overhead costs is 4k-9k.

Solar Power in British Columbia

• Solar Power in BC is growing very quickly because of the locally developed leading edge technologies.

• BC's best solar energy resources are located in the northeast and southern part of the province.

• BC is trying to have more of the province use solar power.

This is an example of a solar photovoltaic

trash compactor. These are found in Victoria and Vancouver.

Resources http://exploringgreentechnology.com/solar-energy/history-of-solar-energy/

http://www.energybc.ca/profiles/solarpv.html

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NZcbMk_iXi8

http://www.empr.gov.bc.ca/EAED/InvestmentInfo/Documents/

SolarEnergySectorinBC27May010.pdf

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_power

http://www.clean-energy-ideas.com/solar/solar-energy/pros-and-cons-of-solar-energy