1. Solar Energy George Stone, Richard Schiavone

2. General description of Solar Energy  Concentrated solar power systems use lenses or mirrors and tracking systems to focus a large area of sunlight into a small beam. Photovoltaic converts light into electric current using the photoelectric effect.  Photovoltaic is a method of generating electrical power by converting solar radiation into direct current electricity using semiconductors that exhibit the photovoltaic effect.

3. Thermal power plants   In solar thermal power plants the solar radiation is tracked by large mirror fields which concentrate the energy towards absorbers.   The fluid is heated by the mirrors and is used to create steam to turn turbines to turn generators.

4. Solar Energy Advantages Saves you money Environmentally friendly Independent/ semi-independent Low/ no maintenance  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYeynLy6 pj8&feature=related

5. Solar energy Disadvantages   Initially they have a high cost   a large area for installation   relies on the location of the sun   no solar energy will be produced during nighttime but a battery backup system or net metering is a back up

6. Where is solar energy most abundant? New Mexico and Arizona are red hot with solar potential, and California, Nevada, Texas, Utah and Colorado also have large areas highly favorable for PV development New Mexico and Arizona are red hot with solar potential, and California, Nevada, Texas, Utah and Colorado also have large areas highly favorable for PV development Solar cells are a solid state device that converts the energy of sunlight directly into electricity by the photovoltaic effect Solar cells are a solid state device that converts the energy of sunlight directly into electricity by the photovoltaic effect

7. Solar panels on housing This way of heating and cooling your house with the suns rays are typically gonna reduce the cost of energy that you initially pay This way of heating and cooling your house with the suns rays are typically gonna reduce the cost of energy that you initially pay However they are very expensive to install ranging from $400 to $800 per panel not including contracter fees which is a disadvantage. However they are very expensive to install ranging from $400 to $800 per panel not including contracter fees which is a disadvantage. Most people make 400 to 800 dollars in one pay check but that doesn’t mean they can pay the cost right off. You will not be charged electricity bills since you make your own power but you can switch to city power with the slick of a switch Most people make 400 to 800 dollars in one pay check but that doesn’t mean they can pay the cost right off. You will not be charged electricity bills since you make your own power but you can switch to city power with the slick of a switch

8. videos  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmWrGP KcMNM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmWrGP KcMNM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmWrGP KcMNM  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ja3- JW7cKos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ja3- JW7cKos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ja3- JW7cKos