A Very Bright Project

1. A Very Bright Project Hatfield Elementary 5th Grade Ryan Adam Joseph George

2. Importance of Alternative Energies We use many different types of energies in our world today. However, we should start using alternative energies because we are running out of nonrenewable energies such as fossil fuels, that we mostly use today. The reason we should stop using fossil fuels is because they cause massive amounts of pollution as they are burnt. Alternative energies are good because they don’t cause pollution. If we run out of alternative energies it won’t take long to get back. When we run out of fossil fuels we will have alternative energies as a back up.

3. Solar Energy One of the best alternative energies is solar energy because it doesn’t harm animals unlike wind turbines. If you bought a storage battery you could run your house for a long time on solar energy. You can also use it to heat water and pools (hot tubs). Unlike wind turbines, solar panels don’t harm animals.

4. Pros of Solar Energy • Eco friendly • Inexhaustible • Sun rays are free • Saves money on electricity bills Solar panels save on electricity bills.

5. Cons of Solar Energy • You can only use solar energy during the day time, unless you have a back up battery. • Expensive to build $$$$ • Solar panels can easily be broken by weather such as hail or lightning. • It takes a lot of solar panels to power one house. This solar panel broke from a lightning bolt.

6. Cost Effectiveness of Solar Energy The cost effectiveness of solar energy is that you may have to pay about $20,000 or more (depends on size) for one solar panel. Once you install the solar panel, your electricity bill will start going down. It all depends on how many solar panels you install, but you should still have a storage battery. If solar energy could be more affordable in our opinion, it is the best energy resource. Solar panels can be very expensive.

7. Usefulness in Our World Usefulness of solar energy in the world is that we use it to heat our homes and water. We collect the solar energy in panels to make electricity for our homes. You can use the steam from the water to cook vegetables. You can use it to power pumps, or you can use it to charge batteries. Solar energy can be very useful. The solar panel is charging the battery.

8. Additional Facts About Solar Energy • When we build solar panels, the panels turn light energy into electric energy. • Every hour the sun beams onto earth more than enough energy to satisfy global energy needs for an entire year. • The reason we don’t see a lot of solar panels is because of the cost to put them up, which is still more than the cost of fossil fuels. • Less than one billionth of the sun’s energy hits earth’s surface.

9. What we Have Learned We have learned a lot about solar energy in this project. We have learned good pros and cons. Now we know how the sun’s energy can be useful to us. We have learned the importance of solar energy and its uses. We will continue to learn more about solar energy. Solar panels can be very useful.

10. Sources • Ms. Warren (science teacher)W.R Hatfield Elementary • Harcourt science text book by Barry A. Van Deman section F pg 111 , F36, and 35 • The Sun by Seymour Simon • www.ask.com • www.newsbusters.org Special thanks to Ms. Warren!!!