Concentrated solar power systems can concentrate sunlight up to 10,000 times using a dual axis tracking system or a ball lens system. This increases efficiency by 35% over traditional solar panels. The total cost of a residential solar system ranges from $15,000 to $60,000, with equipment, installation, permitting, and ongoing maintenance and monitoring accounting for the various expenses. The area of solar panels needed to generate a given power output can be calculated based on the solar irradiance, conversion efficiency, and desired wattage. While solar power has advantages like being renewable and reducing greenhouse gases, disadvantages include the initial cost and challenges of energy storage.

1. Solar Power

2. Geometry
•Dual axis tracking system - expensive, weather makes it fragile
•With a ball, we can concentrate the lights energy on a single point
•Concentrates both sunlight and moonlight up to 10 000 times.
•35% more efficient than current solar panels.

3. Solar Financing
● Purchasing a solar system costs around $15,000-
$60,000
Common method used;
● Solar Lease → a third party company buys and takes
care of the Solar Panels → pay a fixed rate
● Loans & Mortgages; Equity loans → government
finances the Solar System

4. Cost of Solar Power
1. Equipment Costs - 45%
● Solar Panels; $4,500-$12,000
● Power Inverter; $1,000-$3,000
● Mounting Hardware; $800-$2,000
● Wiring; $1,000-$2,000
2. Installation & Permitting Costs - 25%
● System Installation; $2,000-$4,000
● Permits, Fees & Inspection; $3,000-$6,000
3. Sales & Management - 30%
● Monitoring Equipment & Services; $1,000-$5,000
● Maintenance & Repairs; Cost of replacing inverter
● Additional Operational Costs - $4,000-$9,000

5. Surface Area
•1000 Watts = Total Area x 1000 Watts/m2 x 0.18
•Total Power Output=Total Area x Solar Irradiance x Conversion Efficiency
•We know the required Total Output Power is 1000 Watts (10 panels x 100
Watts), the Solar Irradiance for a surface perpendicular to the Sun’s rays at
sea level on a clear day is about 1000 Watt/m2 and the Conversion Efficiency
is 18%.

6. Pros Cons
No green house gases Solar inefficiency
On going free energy Storing Solar
Decentralization of power Solar Panels are bulky
Going off the grid with solar COST
Saving Ecosystem and livelihood
Advantages and Disadvantages of Solar Power

7. Links
http://landartgenerator.org/blagi/archives/127
http://livinggreenmag.com/2013/03/12/energy-ecology/how-does-solar-power-
save-you-money/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHldwuCnCxg
http://themindunleashed.org/2013/12/glass-sphere-might-revolutionize-solar-
power-earth.html
http://www.sunrun.com/solar-lease/solar-financing/
http://www.sunrun.com/solar-lease/cost-of-solar/