LAB 6 : S LAR ENERGY Key Q : What other energy sources are there?
Jan 11, 2016
LAB 6: S LAR ENERGY
Key Q: What other energy sources are there?
Energy from the Sun
• The sun has produced energy for billions of years
• SOLAR ENERGY is the sun’s rays that reach the Earth
• This energy can be converted into other forms of energy, such as heat and electricity
A basic law in physics is that…
energy can't be created nor destroyed...only transformed
In other words, take the sun's solar energy and transform it into the energy you need
The Suns Energy…
-Provides heat
-Drives photosynthesis
-Drives the water cycle
-Drives Wind
-Can be converted into electricity using
photovoltaic cells
Solar Heating Systems
ACTIVE PASSIVE
• Devices capture the sun’s energy
• No equipment
• Buildings with many windows allow heat in
Solar energy can be converted to electricity in 2 ways:
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS A device used to change
sunlight directly into electricity
CONCENTRATING SOLAR POWER
PLANTS
generating electricity by using sunlight to
heat a fluid which produces steam that is
used to power the generator
How Solar Panels WorkAMS Solar Power
• A RENEWABLE RESOURCE
• DOES NOT EMIT POLLUTANTS when generating electricity
• Produces electricity very QUIETLY
SOLAR Energy – ADVANTAGES
MORE ADVANTAGES…
• Solar panels can be installed on top of many ROOFTOPS (don’t have to find space)
• Energy from the sun is FREE for years to come with virtually
NO MAINTENANCE
• Solar Electricity CAN BE STORED FOR LATER USE
EVEN MORE ADVANTAGES…
• FINANCIAL INCENTIVES from the government
• SAVES YOU MONEY
on your electric bill (if you have one at all)
• Allows us to become LESS DEPENDENT on fossil fuel supplies & foreign imports
A FEW MORE ADVANTAGES…
• EXCESS ELECTRICITY generated can be SOLD to power companies
• More solar panels CAN EASILY BE ADDED
SOLAR Energy – DISADVANTAGES • Solar Panels can be EXPENSIVE
initially
• Some households may need MORE THAN ONE
• Solar panels require a LARGE AREA FOR INSTALLATION
to achieve a good level of efficiency
• Solar powered CARS ARE
SLOWER
MORE DISADVANTAGES…
• Efficiency relies on the LOCATION OF THE SUN
• Solar energy is influenced by
CLOUDS or POLLUTION
• Solar power CANNOT BE GENERATED AT NIGHT
EVEN MORE DISADVANTAGES…