Solar Energy

By:Kyler Smith

History of Solar Power

 In 1767 swiss scientist Horace de Saussure made the

first ever solar collector
In 1873 Willoughby Smith discovered photoconductivity
In 1954 photovoltaic was born in United States the first
solar cell capable of converting solar in to power
happend in the bells laboratory
In 1994 the first solar dish was made
In 2000 satellite started doing solar power

The United States uses 12 gigawatts of energy which is the

5th highest in the world. The other 4 are
1. Germany 35.5 gigawatts
2. China 18.3 gigawatts
3. Italy 17.6 gigawatts
4. Japan 13.6 gigawatts
(Pure Energy, September 15, 2014)

How does solar power work

Solar panels are made of silicon. The reason why it is made of silicon is
because we are good at making silicon and silicon has a unique oxide that
makes the panel heat easier. When sunlight hits the solar panel it heats up the
crystal in it. In the crystal, bonds between the silicon atoms are made of
electrons that are shared between all the items in the crystal. When the light
hits, it makes the electrons move around the crystals, then it turns into
electricity. The electricity goes to the inverter changes the electricity turns it to
alternity current power. The AC power goes into every electronic device.
Even with no pollution and you can get the energy for free it is only a small
percentage of all the energy we use and solar equipment is much more
expensive than coal

Solar Power Mirror

There are solar mirrors which are cheaper, smaller, and
lighter than solar panels. It is like a solar panel and collects
energy with the sun, but it also can follow the sun during
the day so it can get max amount of energy. This is a new
invention, so this product is not too popular yet.

Environmental cost
When you think of solar power, you think of pollution free,
but there has been some people say it does give some
environmental effect. They are slightly right. If you have a
solar panel for 30 years, about 90% of the energy you get
from it will be pollution free. There are many ways to make
a solar panel and some ways have lead in it and when it is
rinsed, the water could contain lead and make it water
pollution. You also use sulfur in a byproduct in cleaning
silicon solar panels which can make the water pollution.

Economic Cost
They are a few reasons why solar power is good for the
economy in the united states. One reason why it is good is
that it takes away the cost for importing oil. Also as an
individual it will save you money every month on the
electric bill because the sunlight is free.

Ivanpah
Ivanpah is the largest solar thermal power plant in the
world. It produces 377 megawatts of solar energy from
solar mirrors. It can serve enough energy for 140,000
houses a day. The reason why they use solar mirrors is that
it is really sunny in Ivanpah and the mirrors will take all the
sunlight no matter what angle it is in. Planes have problem
flying the area because the reflections of the mirrors are a
distraction and it could be up to 400 degrees. It has been
known for killing birds with the heat.

Solar thermal power

Solar thermal power gets power by heat
instead electricity. The power plant uses mirrors
to receive sunlight then it heats the water and
makes steam to make energy. To make energy
it requires a large amount of energy to pay for
the fuel required to make solar thermal power.

SEG IX
SEG IX is is going to be the world largest solar energy
generating facility when it is made. It has nine solar power
plants. It can have 354 megawatts in captivity. SEG IX also
uses mirrors for max solar power. It is a great place for
solar energy because about 340 days a year is sunlight.
More sunlight means more energy. Pilots and birds also
have problem with the heat and reflection of the mirrors. It
is like a solar thermal power plant by heating water with the
sunlight, turning the water to steam and making energy.

Agua Caliente Solar

Agua Caliente Solar is one of the worlds largest operational
PV (Photovoltaic) power plants. For all the PV power plants
in the world, this one is going to have the most
environmental benefit. It is the lowest environmental impact
because the operations are using system electricity with no
water use, no waste production, or any air emissions, and
have the smallest amount of carbon footprint of any PV
power plants

Agua Caliete