Solar Energy Essay - 615 Words

Solar Energy There is a bright future for solar power (no pun intended). On the average sunny day the sun shines approximately 1,000 watts of energy per square meter, enough energy to power all of our electricity needs and excess(â€Å"How†). This plethora of power and will be utilized in the future because we cant afford not to. It is predicted that in 100-500 years our fossil fuels will be depleted: this means that alternative sources of energy will be a necessity (Exxon). We consider solar power a renewable resource because it is conitinuosly supplied to us by the sun. When discussing solar technology it is generally broken up into two different categories: photovoltaic and solar-thermal technology.†¦show more content†¦Grants, Loans, and Green tag programs all exist to entice people into turning to solar(EPA). People need to be more informed and more of these types of programs need to exist in order to increase the demand for solar power. PA currently offers a 10 Percent Investment Tax Credit, this tax credit is available for businesses that invest in or purchase qualified solar energy equipment(EPA). Consumer demand for clean renewable energy and the deregulation of the utilities industry has sparked interest in: solar, wind, geothermal steam, biomass, and small-scale hydroelectric sources of power(Cnn). Small commercial solar power plants are already popping up in some markets. Because solar energy has zero emissions and does not produce any solid waste it is very appealing to consumers(â€Å"Sunny†). Only the land consumed by photovoltaic systems is considered a issue. Double digit growth is expected from both wind and solar technology, based on both increased public subsidies and technological advances over the next 20 years(â€Å"Sunny†). However, because they currently make up such a small percentage of our total power consumption, less then 5% of our total power consumption will be from solar at that time. 20 years ago (PV) was 50 times as expensive than traditional energy resources. That number has increased to 4 times as expensive currently: this shows promise for the future of affordable solar technology (â€Å"The Future†). Our planetShow MoreRelatedThe Energy Of Solar Energy1687 Words   |  7 Pagesanalyses of solar energy deployment contained in the Word Energy Outlook, Energy Technology Perspectives and several IEA Technology Roadmaps. It aims at offering an updated picture of current technology trends and markets, as well as new analyses on how solar energy technologies for electricity, heat and fuels can be used in the various energy consuming sectors, now and in the future. If effective support policies are put in place in a wide number of countries during this decade, solar energy in its variousRead MoreSolar Power And Solar Energy1255 Words   |  6 PagesSolar energy is capable of providing a cleaner energy than most forms of energy generation, and solar energy is able to be generated economically. Solar energy reduces the amount of harm to the environment from energy generation, by providing a cleaner alternative. Solar energy also provides jobs for construction and installation of solar pow ered technologies. The cost of installing solar panels can vary greatly, but its long term benefits outweigh the costs. Typically a solar panel system isRead MoreThe Solar Of Solar Energy1637 Words   |  7 Pagesin solar energy has been growing in recent years. Solar energy is abundant, clean and renewable. There are two main methods to tap solar energy, i.e. with PV cells and with solar collectors. The former converts sun light directly to electricity while the latter collects the solar thermal energy (heat) to be used for various applications. Solar collectors have been in existent for many decades. Their usages are experiencing resurgence in the recent years due to the interest in renewable energy sourcesRead MorePreserving Our World with Solar Energy900 Words   |  4 PagesSolar energy is a way to restore and preserve our world. How wonderful it would be to use the suns energy to heat and cool our homes, power out cars and run the electricity to light our houses. This concept is getting close r to reality all the time. Solar energy is expensive on a large scale, but running lights and small appliances are now inexpensive. Small calculators and lights that are solar powered are accessable to everyone. God commissioned his children to take care of the earth in GenesisRead MoreThe Ethics Of The Solyndra Solar Energy Panels1174 Words   |  5 PagesFounded by Dr. Chris Granet in 2005 Solyndra Solar, based in California was a corporation that produced solar energy panels. They manufactured cylindrical shaped solar panels, and they were unequaled in the business, the corporation as well offers an assortment of additional solar merchandises, most solar engineering corporations use flat plates and was labeled as old-fashioned compared to the Solyndra’s PV Solar structure. Consumers preferred the solar merchandises of the Solyndra since they integratedRead MoreSolar Of Solar Thermal Energy1901 Words   |  8 Pages Solar Thermal Energy â€Å"Even if we didn t have greenhouse gases, were going to have to move away from fossil fuels, as we re going to run out. They re finite, where as solar and wind are infinite.† - Ted Turner. Solar panels use the energy that comes from sunlight to give power. Low-temperature panels are flat plates generally used to heat things such as pools. Medium-temperature panels can also be flat plates but they are used for heating water and / or air for residential and commercial useRead MoreRenewable Energy And Solar Energy921 Words   |  4 Pagesrenewable energy . Most of these renewable energies depend in one way or another on sunlight. Wind and hydroelectric power are the direct result of differential heating of the Earth s surface which leads to air moving about (wind) and precipitation forming as the air is lifted. Solar energy is the direct conversion of sunlight using panels or collectors. Biomass energy is stored sunlight contained in plants. Other renewable energies that do not depend on sunlight are geothermal energy, which isRead More solar energy Essay586 Words   |  3 Pages Solar Energy All life on Earth depends on energy from the sun. Solar energy is the source of energy for photosynthesis. It provides the warmth necessary for plants and animals to survive. Scientists have found a way to use God’s natural light towards the advantage of our daily lives. The affects of this idea revolutionary, results of solar power could lead to a more modernized society and efficient economy. Solar energy is a term that usually means the direct use of sunlight to produceRead MoreThe Solar Of Solar Energy1316 Words   |  6 Pagesterawatts of energy. Solar cells offer a means to harness this energy by converting solar energy into electrical energy. While some may argue that solar energy is an inconsistent energy source, research is being poured into creating more efficient solar cells so that when light is incident on the solar cell, the solar cells operate at their highest possible efficiency levels. Currently, the most efficient solar cells convert 34.5% of sunlight to energy. With innovations like floating solar farms, suchRead MoreThe Solar Of Solar Energy1321 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction Photovoltaic Solar Energy Throughout history, mankind had always wonder the mysterious secrets of nature with an attempt to make a replica of its magnificent work. Solar photovoltaic energy is the process to convert sunlight into electrical power as energy; imitating the process of photosynthesis that plants create to survive. Photovoltaic energy is not something recently discovered, it actually goes over 160 years The basic science was first discovered in 1839 but the pace of advancement