Key Q: What other energy sources are there? LAB 6: S LAR ENERGY Key Q: What other energy sources are there?

Energy from the Sun The sun has produced energy for billions of years SOLAR ENERGY is the sun’s rays that reach the Earth This energy can be converted into other forms of energy, such as heat and electricity

energy can't be created nor destroyed...only transformed A basic law in physics is that… energy can't be created nor destroyed...only transformed

In other words, take the sun's solar energy and transform it into the energy you need

-Drives photosynthesis -Drives the water cycle -Drives Wind The Suns Energy… -Provides heat -Drives photosynthesis -Drives the water cycle -Drives Wind -Can be converted into electricity using photovoltaic cells

Solar Heating Systems ACTIVE PASSIVE Devices capture the sun’s energy No equipment Buildings with many windows allow heat in

sunlight directly into electricity Solar energy can be converted to electricity in 2 ways: PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS A device used to change sunlight directly into electricity

CONCENTRATING SOLAR POWER PLANTS generating electricity by using sunlight to heat a fluid which produces steam that is used to power the generator

How Solar Panels Work AMS Solar Power

SOLAR Energy – ADVANTAGES A RENEWABLE RESOURCE DOES NOT EMIT POLLUTANTS when generating electricity Produces electricity very QUIETLY

CAN BE STORED FOR LATER USE MORE ADVANTAGES… Solar panels can be installed on top of many ROOFTOPS (don’t have to find space) Energy from the sun is FREE for years to come with virtually NO MAINTENANCE Solar Electricity CAN BE STORED FOR LATER USE

FINANCIAL INCENTIVES SAVES YOU MONEY EVEN MORE ADVANTAGES… from the government SAVES YOU MONEY on your electric bill (if you have one at all) Allows us to become LESS DEPENDENT on fossil fuel supplies & foreign imports

EXCESS ELECTRICITY generated can be SOLD to power companies A FEW MORE ADVANTAGES… EXCESS ELECTRICITY generated can be SOLD to power companies More solar panels CAN EASILY BE ADDED

SOLAR Energy – DISADVANTAGES Solar Panels can be EXPENSIVE initially Some households may need MORE THAN ONE

LARGE AREA FOR INSTALLATION to achieve a good level of efficiency MORE DISADVANTAGES… Solar panels require a LARGE AREA FOR INSTALLATION to achieve a good level of efficiency Solar powered CARS ARE SLOWER

CANNOT BE GENERATED AT NIGHT EVEN MORE DISADVANTAGES… Efficiency relies on the LOCATION OF THE SUN Solar energy is influenced by CLOUDS or POLLUTION Solar power CANNOT BE GENERATED AT NIGHT