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Solar Energy. Andrew Ellis, Samantha Lamoreux , Aimee Sitch , Samantha Shreckengast. What Solar Energy is and how it is Used. The radiant light and heat from the sun Can be converted to thermal energy or heat Heat water, for use in homes, buildings, and swimming pools
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Solar Energy Andrew Ellis, Samantha Lamoreux, Aimee Sitch, Samantha Shreckengast
What Solar Energy is and how it is Used • The radiant light and heat from the sun • Can be converted to thermal energy or heat • Heat water, for use in homes, buildings, and swimming pools • Heats spaces inside greenhouses, homes, and other buildings • Solar energy can be converted into electricity by two ways • Photovoltaic (PV devices) or “solar cells”- change sunlight directly into electricity • Solar Power Plants- Indirectly generate electricity when heat from solar thermal collectors is used to heat a fluid which produces steam that is used to power generator
Current Use • Transportation Signaling • Lighthouses • Road traffic warning signals • PV Panels • Solar Cars • Heating • Generate Electricity • Lighting Homes (Indoors and Outdoors) • Dry Clothes
Environmental Impacts • Free • Supplies are unlimited • Produces no air or water pollution • Does have some indirect impacts on the environment • Manufacturing the photovoltaic cells used to convert sunlight into electricity consumes silicon and produces some waste products.
Environmental and Social Costs • Sunlight itself is free • Initial setup of solar panels is costly • Approx. $20,000 • Approx. $10-$12 per wattused
Is Solar Energy Accepted Today? • Yes, there are many solar energy techniques used today • However, fossil fuels are still cheaper and easier to use