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Project Presentation.pptx
- 1. Solar Energy By: JonathanStanley
- 2. Table of Contents Project Purpose What Is Solar Energy? How Does Solar Energy Work? Did You Know? Solar Energy Applications Benefits of Solar Energy Drawbacks of Solar Energy Overcoming the Drawbacks Recent Advancements References
- 3. Project Purpose Solarenergy is growing in today’s society and may soon be the one main source of clean energy available on a global standard, as it is already “one of the most widely used forms of renewable energy” (Conserve Energy Future, 2015). The purpose of this project is to familiarize individuals about what solar energy is, how it is harnessed and distributed among end users, as well as the few potential drawbacks associated with the use of solar energy, its technology, and if these drawbacks can somehow be overcome.
- 4. What Is SolarEnergy? Solar energy is a form of renewable energy that is produced by the Sun via rays of sunlight and converted into electricity to be used in applications around the world. Although solar energy and solar power are often interchangeable terms, solar power refers more specifically to the conversion of sunlight into electricity. This conversion happens by the use of solar panels, which are an array of photovoltaic (PV) cells that produce electricity once light hits it’s surface. These PV cells are made up of silicon and other conductive materials placed together in thin film layers. Once sunlight hits the cell, chemical reactions within the cell generate electrons, that in turn, generate electricity.
- 5. How Does SolarEnergy Work? Producing solar power can be done in numerous configurations, such as solar powered plants to power company users or rooftop solar panels to a single home. Overall, the basic setup is as follows: 1) Solar Panels – The panels made up of photovoltaic cells convert the Sun’s light into DC electricity (SolarCity, 2015). 2) Inverter – The device that is in charge of converting the DC electricity into AC electricity (SolarCity, 2015). 3) Electrical Panel – This is where the AC electricity goes to be distributed among home appliances, such as lights, ovens, etc. (SolarCity, 2015). 4) Utility Meter – This is in charge of measuring a home’s energy use. It goes backwards when more power is generated than you can consume. Any excess energy generated will offset the energy used at night (SolarCity, 2015). 5) Utility Grid – Everything is connected to the grid, because you will still need that power at night, but the cost is offset by any excess energy generated during the day. External batteries can also be used in conjunction with solar panels to store this excess energy for use at night as well (SolarCity, 2015).
- 6. Simple Diagram ofa Solar Powered System (Oakwood Energy, 2015)
- 7. Did You Know? Although solar panels have just began to rise in popularity, Leonardo Da Vinci actually developed the thought of using solar power way back in his day (GBE Facts, 2012). “More energy hits the earth from the sun in one hour than the whole world uses all year” (GBE Facts, 2012). The Mojave Desert in California is home to the world’s largest solar power plant, which is responsible for about 90% of the world’s commercially produced solar power (GBE Facts, 2015). The amount of energy obtained from just 20 days of sunshine is enough to match the energy stored in Earth’s reserve of coal, oil, and natural gas (Union of Con…, 2015). Germany is the leader in solar panel installations, in front of Italy, Japan, and the USA (GBE Facts, 2015).
- 8. Solar Energy Applications There are many uses for solar power today and the possibilities almost seem limitless. Basically, if it is powered by electricity, then it can use solar power. This includes: • Residential, commercial, or industrial use for lighting, heating, or cooking. • Public use for traffic lights, road signs, or advertisement screens. • Personal use for charging or powering electronics and building your own solar power projects. • Powering satellites or space stations high up in Earth’s orbit. • Powering cars that run off of electricity by the use of roof-mounted solar panels. • And so much more!
- 9. Benefits of SolarEnergy Non-polluting • Solar energy is just one of many alternatives to fossil fuels and cause no pollution. It is clean, reliable, and renewable in that it does not pollute the air with harmful gases such as carbon dioxide or nitrogen oxide (Conserve Energy Future, 2015). Renewable Source • Solar energy is a 100% renewable energy source and can be used to produce electricity for users for as long as the sun still exists (Conserve Energy Future, 2015). Easy Installation • Solar panels do not require any wires, cords, or power sources and can be installed on places like rooftops, requiring no extra space needed to have them (Conserve Energy Future, 2015). Can Be Used in Remote Locations • Solar energy is ideal for areas that have no access to power cables, or in areas where running power lines would be extremely difficult or expensive (Conserve Energy Future, 2015). Long Lasting Solar Cells • These solar cells make no noise at all and contain no moving parts to operate. Due to this, the cells can last for a very long time with very little maintenance (Conserve Energy Future, 2015).
- 10. Drawbacks of SolarEnergy Initial Startup Costs • Startup costs for purchasing and installing solar panels is a bit high. Even though you end up saving more in the long run, it could take between 10 to 15 years before you make up for your initial investment (Conserve Energy Future, 2015). Location and Availability of Sunlight • Solar panels are limited to where they can be placed and the weather conditions in that area. Surrounded by things such as trees, buildings, other houses, mountains, or clouds can reduce the amount of electricity generated by the solar panels (Conserve Energy Future, 2015). Pollution • Pollution already existing in the environment can degrade the quality and efficiency of the photovoltaic cells that make up the solar panel, Conserve Energy Future, 2015). Inefficiency • Not all light can be absorbed by the solar panels which gives them about a 40% efficiency rate (Conserve Energy Future, 2015). Reliability • They can be unreliable in that solar panels can not be used at night, like other renewable energy methods. This means you will have to depend on a utility grid or backup solar batteries for night time usage (Conserve Energy Future, 2015).
- 11. Overcoming the Drawbacks Most, if not all, of the drawbacks associated with solar energy can be solved by further research on solar technology. Continuing research could result in new, innovative ideas for the existing technology. This research could: • Overcome the worst of the effects caused by already existing pollution. • Increase the rate of efficiency in photovoltaic cells. • Increase the amount of excess energy stored for night time use. • Drive down the costs for solar panels by creating easier and more efficient ways to manufacture photovoltaic material.
- 12. Recent Advancements Light-SensitiveNanoparticles: “A group of scientists at the University of Toronto unveiled a new type of light-sensitive nanoparticle called colloidal quantum dots, that many believe will offer a less expensive and more flexible material for solar cells” (Alternative Energy, 2015). Gallium Arsenide: “Researchers at Imperial College University in London believe they have discovered a new material, known as gallium arsenide, that could make solar PV systems nearly three times more efficient than existing products on the market” (Alternative Energy, 2015). Solar Panel with Built-In Battery: “In a project funded by the United States Department of Energy, Ohio State University researchers recently announced they created a battery that is 20% more efficient and 25% cheaper than anything on the market today. The secret to the design is that the rechargeable battery is built into the solar panel itself, rather than operating as two standalone systems” Alternative Energy, 2015). Magnesium Chloride: “Over 90% of solar panels are compromised of silicon semiconductors, which are the key ingredient to converting sunlight into electricity. Many believe however, that the next generation of solar panels will be made of a thin film technology that uses narrow coatings of cadmium telluride in solar cells, which promises to be a much cheaper and more efficient way to engage the photovoltaic process. An obstacle facing cadmium telluride however is that is becomes highly unstable during the manufacturing process, which uses cadmium chloride. In replacing the cadmium chloride with magnesium chloride during the manufacturing process though, will make the process much more safe and increase the efficiency of these solar cells from 2% to 15%” (Alternative Energy, 2015).
- 13. References SolarCity. (2015).How does solar energy work?. Retrieved from http://www.solarcity.com/commercial/how-does-solar-energy-work Oakwood Energy. (2015). How Solar Panels Work in the UK. Retrieved from http://www.oakwoodenergygroup.co.uk/how-solar-panels-work-in-the uk/ GBE FACTS. (2012, September 7). Ten Facts About Solar Panels. Retrieved from http://greenbuildingelements.com/2012/09/07/ten-facts-about-solar-panels/ Union of Concerned Scientists. (2015). How Solar Energy Works. Retrieved from http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/our-energy-choices/renewable- energy/how-solarenergy-works.html#.Vh7lW9GFNes Conserve Energy Future. (2015). Advantages of Solar Energy. Retrieved from http://www.conserve-energy-future.com/Advantages_SolarEnergy.php Conservative Energy Future. (2015). Disadvantages of Solar Energy. Retrieved from http://www.conserve-energy-future.com/Disadvantages_SolarEnergy.php Alternative Energy. (2015). The Latest in Solar Technology. Retrieved from http://www.altenergy.org/renewables/solar/latest-solar-technology.html