Is Solar Power an Efficient Source of Energy?

Hypothesis Solar power is not an efficient source of energy because if there is no sun or artificial light, you have no power.

Materials Solar Panel Solar Battery Plastic Fan Spinner Cord Motor Clips, screws and nuts Sun Clouds Heater Lamp with light bulb Stove

Procedure Charge Solar battery for 2 minutes Connect Solar Battery to Solar Panel See what heat and light sources solar energy works with: Test under lamp: Yes Test on cloudy day :No Test near heater: No Test close to Stove: No Test on sunny day: Yes

Research Webster’s dictionary defines efficient as: producing the desired result with a minimum of effort, expense, or waste. When two hydrogen atoms fuse or combine they form one Helium atom and give off energy. Solar power is created from this energy. Solar energy is also called electromagnetic radiation. The sun’s energy is produced in a spectrum-or range-of different lengths, called wavelengths. Solar power is used for light, heating water, powering TVs, radios, calculators, watches, hats, cars, planes, satellites, space explorers, heating houses, and food. All of our energy comes from the sun directly, or through many changes. Solar power is the most long lasting form of energy we have. Solar power is good because it is healthy for the earth because it doesn’t cause pollution and it’s renewable.

Conclusion Solar energy is efficient because the sun is free to use, it doesn't cause pollution, and it’s readily available in Countries near the equator. Countries that are cold most of the year, however, have a hard time using solar energy because it’s not available when the sun is not shinning. Since solar power is not efficient in all parts of the world my hypothesis is both correct and incorrect.

Resources Solar Power By: Steve Parker 2002 Garth Stevens Publishing asphttp://projectsol.aps.com/solar/data_data. asp

Solar Panel Works WithYes No LampX Cloudy day X Heater X Stove X Sunny dayX