By: Rachel Beres & Kathleen Gallagher

 How solar energy works  How wind energy works  Comparing solar and wind energy  Advantages  Disadvantages  Carbon footprint (EIO-LCA)  Which is more green?

 the main element is silicon  Silicon, Si, has 4 outer electrons  Can accept 4 more electrons from another element  Si can combine with more Si and create a stable, pure crystalline silicon  Si 2 is a poor conductor, thus useless in creating solar power

 Phosphorus has 5 outer electrons  Combined with Si, makes SiP -  With 8 outer electrons and an extra electron from the phosphorus  Boron has only 3 outer electrons  Combined with Si, makes SiB +  With only 7 outer electrons

 The panel is made of both SiP - and SiB + and protected under a sheet of glass  Photons then hit the panel  The extra electron from SiP - transfers to SiB +  Causing electricity to be formed

 Air moves the turbines to create kinetic energy which is converted to mechanical and electrical energy.  Turbine systems include: a rotor, blades, an enclosure holding a drive train, gearbox and generator, a tower, and electronic controls.

 Size: rotor diameters: 50 m to 90 m towers are roughly the same size  The amount of electricity generated depends on the turbine’s size and speed through the rotor. Power ratings: 250 watts to 5 MW  Performance is determined by wind speed. A site’s wind speed is measured through wind resource assessment prior to construction. Small wind electric turbines: 9 mph on average utility-scale power plants:13 mph

 Solar energy is consistent. The sun will always be there.  Solar panels release no emissions  Little to no maintenance required to operate  The only renewable source that makes no noise  It can pay for itself  Cost can range from $100 to $10,000 depending on amount of panels purchased  Usually allow for a tax credit

 Wind is free  Wind does not generate green house gases  Does not take up a lot of space  Remote areas can produce their own electricity  Come in various sizes, so they can be used at various sizes of needs

 Strength of wind is varies and the amount of electricity produced is varied.  Make as much noise as a car traveling at 70 mph.  Some people do not find them aesthetically pleasing.  Some pollution is produced from the manufacturing process  Need a lot of wind turbines to support many homes

According to Solar Power  As a semiconductor machinery manufacturing $500 solar panel – MT of CO 2 equivalent $1000 solar panel – MT of CO 2 equivalent $5000 solar panel – 2.42 MT of CO 2 equivalent Wind Power  Turbine and Turbine Generator $1.2 million – 477 MT of CO2 equivalent $2.6 million – 1030 MT of CO2 equivalent

 Both produce no emissions when being used  Both produce emissions when being manufactured.  Solar has no noise, where wind makes noise of a 70 mph car.  Solar is more pleasant to look at.  Solar energy is more consistent than wind energy.  Solar energy is more efficient  Solar: 14MW to 20 MW  Wind: 250 watts to 5 MW

 Solar energy would be the most beneficial of solar and wind energy.  Wind energy is useful in remote areas.  Solar energy is useful in all areas, though.

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