1. BELLWORK Solar, wind, geothermal, hydroelectric, and biofuels are all examples of renewable energy. Which of these is an example of potential energy, and which is kinetic energy?

2. Using the Sun’s Energy

3. Objectives In this lesson you will... 1)Identify pros and cons of renewable energy 1)Describe how energy is produced by each of the renewable methods 1)Evaluate the competing energy solutions

4. Solar Energy Uses the sun’s rays to produce usable energy

5. How It Works Solar panels convert light energy from the sun into electrical energy Only one of the seven types that does not use a turbine to rotate a generator

7. Advantages of Solar Energy Renewable Abundant Very Environmentally Friendly Can be used “off the grid”

8. Disadvantages of Solar Energy Very expensive Does not work at night or in poor weather Very inefficient -the best solar panels only convert 20% of sun’s rays into electricity

9. Solar Power in California http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/s olar-power

10. Future of Solar Energy Right now prices are too high to compete with fossil fuels in most places With more research, hopefully solar panels can continue to become cheaper and more efficient

11. Wind Energy Energy from the sun warms the Earth unevenly, which causes air currents to flow throughout the atmosphere. These currents can be harnessed as energy.

12. How It Works the wind causes turbines to spin, which rotates an electric generator.

13. Advantages of Wind Energy Renewable Environmentally Friendly Require very little labor to operate Can be used “off the grid”

14. Disadvantages of Wind Energy Very expensive Wind is inconsistent and weak in some areas Turbines are noisy and can kill birds Some people do not like how they look

15. Wind Energy http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/w ind-power

16. Future of Wind Energy Right now prices are too high to compete with fossil fuels in most places Wind turbines are becoming cheaper with additional research