Research Paper – Solar Energy
Blakely J. Phillips
BGEN 440, Montana State University - Billings
Introduction
Solar energy is the conversion of power from the sun to usable electricity (Alternative Energy, 2014). The most common source of solar energy utilizes photovoltaic cells to convert sunlight into electricity (Alternative Energy, 2014). Photovoltaics use a semi-conductor to absorb the radiation from the sun, creating and emitting electrons, which are then harnessed and used as electricity (Alternative Energy, 2014).
Pros of Solar Energy There are many advantages of using solar energy. It is renewable, abundant, sustainable, environmentally friendly, and more. Solar energy is a renewable energy source, which means that unlike non-renewable energy sources such as fossil fuels, coal, and nuclear energy, we cannot run out of solar energy (Maehlum, 2014). As long as the sun is alive, which according to NASA is another 6.5 billion years, we will have access to solar energy (Maehlum, 2014). The true potential of solar energy is astounding and overly abundant. The surface of Earth receives 120,000 terawatts of solar radiation, better known as sunlight, which is 20,000 times more energy than what is needed to supply power to the entire world (Maehlum, 2014).
Solar energy is not only abundant and renewable it is also sustainable and environmentally friendly. As a sustainable energy source, solar energy is able to meet the needs of the present without compromising
Solar energy is the most ancient kind of energy found on earth, for it is as old as the sun. "Solar" means from the sun. The earth is only one of the many planets which is bathed in the sun's overflowing energy. Every second the world receives 95.8 trillion watts of power…just think about that for a minute. Think about how much power the earth just received in the time it took you to read this sentence? It is well beyond the amount of power used in one day. It has the potential to satisfy all our energy needs forever without ever having to use the pollutive fossil fuels ever again. "The problem however, does not lie in the limited source, as do fossil fuels, but in harnessing
Solar energy is a renewable energy source meaning that the energy is generated by the sun. The way that solar produces energy is by the sun's rays that reach earth and converts into heat and electricity. Its transported by photovoltaic ( pv devices ) and solar thermal electric power plants. Examples of this energy source is : solar powered window blinds, bulbs, refrigerators, radios, calculators,
In this modern fast paced world that we live in, there are many issues that are looked over, energy is one of these. As a world, we are dependant on dwindling fossil fuel supplies and take for granted electricity, oil, and gas. There are four completely renewable sources of energy around us that should be used and developed, they are: wind, growing plants, flowing water, and the sun. These sources of energy are the ones we should be tapping, because they are reliable and renewable. Harnessing the suns energy is the most certain and ultimate energy source. Looking at a brief history and some facts about solar energy, a glimpse of the future can be seen, a future not dependant on
The use of solar energy does not cause greenhouse gas emissions and is healthier for the environment than traditional forms of energy.
When all of our natural fossil fuels are low or gone, solar energy will be one of the leading sources of energy that we will need in the future.
We all have heard about how one day, we will run out of oil, And you wonder "what are we going to do after we run out? Aren't we screwed?" I'm sure we've also heard, believe it or not, if you will, that oil and fossil fuels cause climate change and that's not a great thing. Well we dont have to worry about running out of oil or climate change by making one decision. We need to switch to renewable energy sources. Renewable energy sources are sources of power that will never run out. A energy source that im going to be discussing today is solar energy. Solar energy has a lot of benefits not only to our society, but to our economy, and to out planets. while S.N. does have many pros, it also has its cons. But of course, I'll be telling you about its many benefits to us first.
If we choose to switch to solar energy in future, it will greatly save our environment because, it does not pollute our air and it is reasonably efficient. It will help reduce global warming, and thus a future green environment with no pollution from fossil fuels, and other conventional sources of energy. To add on that, it will also help in conserving our remaining fossil fuels so that it may not run out in the coming 100-500 years, as it has been predicted.
Solar energy is an eco-friendly alternative to fossil fuels. Our planet has been experiencing an average increase in global temperatures. Slowly but surely our planet is deteriorating, unless we change our form of energy into a greener alternative. Deterioration of our planet may occur at a faster rate. The depletion of fossil fuels is detrimental to our environment. By substituting fossil fuels with the solar energy, our planet will benefit. These benefits include: reduced climate change, beneficial economic opportunities on both a large scale benefitting our government and on a smaller scale helping individuals decrease their energy bills, and solar energy is renewable and sustainable.
Now that we understand what solar energy is and how it benefits our society, we are going to delve deeper into it’s advantages. The most prevalent advantage of solar energy is that it is renewable. It can be harnessed in all areas all around the world is available everyday. Unlike some of the other alternative energy sources, we cannot run out of solar energy. As long as we have the sun, solar
What is solar energy? Universe Today defines solar energy as radiant energy produced by the sun. It is both light and heat. Solar energy, along with secondary solar-powered resources such as wind and wave power, accounts for most of the renewable energy on Earth. (Coffey 1) The deliberate use of solar energy began sometime between the 7th century B.C. and the 13th century A.D. when people used magnifying glasses to concentrate sun’s rays to produce fire. Today we concentrate the sun’s energy in a number of ways and use this solar energy for everything.
Solar power is nothing completely new; it has been used for years to power small devices from calculators to watches, but what is new is its improved efficiency. Solar panels can be used to collect energy from the sun and now are being used on a much larger scale. Homeowners and business can use energy generated from the panels to power their homes and offices and have it purchased by energy suppliers. Solar power is proving to be an economical energy source available to the public that is consumer friendly.
Further benefits include the fact that solar power does not release toxins into the air like greenhouse gases or other air pollutants and solar power doesn’t require any harmful digging or drilling into mother earth.
The search for cost effective and efficient renewable energy is becoming an increasingly important area of study. According to Sampaio, “with the increase of population and technologic and economic development, human beings need more energy to create a better life environment.” Fossil fuel energy sources, while cost effective, have major environmental impacts that add to global warming, acid rain, and climate change. One renewable resource that is sustainable and readily abundant is solar energy, which is a reasonable and readily available replacement for fossil fuel energy sources globally.
Solar energy and its use isn’t new to the world. It has been used by various societies beginning from 7thCentury B.C, when the sun’s heat was concentrated by glass and mirrors to light fires. Today, we have everything from solar-powered buildings to solar-powered vehicles. By and large solar technology has some environmental, economic, psychological and ethical implications for our society. Actions taken by companies and individuals to increase the use of solar technology will create good local jobs, improve our environment and reduce our dependence on foreign oil while doing what’s ethical and moral for our society.
Solar power harness the sun 's energy to create electricity. Solar energy assets are enormous and boundless, and they can be tackled anyplace that gets sunlight. The measure of solar radiation, otherwise called insolation, coming to the earth 's surface consistently is more than all the energy at present devoured by every single human activity yearly [1]. Various variables, including geographic area, time of day, and current climate conditions, all influence the measure of energy that can engage in for electricity creation or heating purposes.