Solar Energy

1. Solar Energy Patrick Burba Jacqueline Wardin Albert Yang

2. Pros and Cons Pros: • Do not need many panels to see a difference in energy bills • Eventually, the money saved from the panels will overtake the expensive cost of installation • Can also apply for grants or loans from federal/state government • Require no initial electricity to generate • Essentially free • More abundant than other natural renewable sources (such as hydro or wind) – more available and profitable for individuals rather than groups/businesses • Very quiet, no pollution emitted • Panels can be used by larger businesses/in larger areas, as well as for individual households • Can use in remote areas (the areas aren’t doing anything anyways and nobody is really there) • Newer technologies (and constant improvements) have allowed the panels to be more efficient and effective on overcast days Cons: • Solar power is more of an investment, so people are more reluctant to pay more upfront • They want benefits/profits right away • Dependent upon area • More solar energy along the “Sun Belt” vs. in New England (where it is often cloudy) • The more polluted the area, the less sunlight that will be able to reach the panels (smog) • More effective in suburban/rural areas than urban • High installation/repair costs • Less accessible to people with less means/funding • Fossil fuels cost much less (more convenient, people are lazy) • Not producing energy/power when the panels aren’t under direct sunlight • Requires batteries to store energy or have a backup source during the night or in inclement weather • Many pollutants to make the solar panels • Require rare earth metals, which produce toxic wastewater that may get into the groundwater

3. Can you store solar energy?

4. Yes, you can store solar energy in batteries. Many people who are “off-the-grid” use them to store excess energy produced during the day and provide energy during outages or in the evenings.

5. Can we access enough solar energy to replace coal?

6. I believe we can in the future, but not with our current technology. The panels cost a lot The sun is extremely abundant around the world, but the panels take up quite a bit of space.

7. Do you think that the costs of solar energy are better or worse than the consequences of using coal?

8. The costs are definitely better than the consequences of coal. They create no pollution at all when creating energy, and easily out-benefit the initial investment.

9. How do you access solar energy at night or on cloudy days? Is it convenient/inconvenient?

10. You don’t; the fact of the matter is that no energy is generated when there is no direct sunlight. However, the energy can be stored, or alternate forms of renewable energy may be used. An “on-the-grid” area can rely on energy stored elsewhere. The solar energy is transferred to the electric company first, and then it is transferred back. This costs less up front than going “off-the-grid,” so many people use this configuration. However, the grid-tie systems are automatically disabled during any power outages (since it would be unsafe to keep sending energy to the grid when workers are trying to fix the outage).

11. Are there any pollutants emitted from solar energy?

12. Not at all (directly, at least). The process of making the solar panels does have negative consequences, which include the mining of rare earth metals (produces toxic wastewater through specific techniques).

13. In what ways would the use of solar energy and panels affect the economy?

14. Clearly, using solar power will decrease our dependence on foreign oil and keep the money here in the states (which will please many Americans who are concerned about outsourcing jobs). As of 2011, 100,000 jobs in every state are the result of solar energy. However, production of solar panels may still be outsourced.