1. Solar Energy Ariel Sanz, Trisha Reznick, Cortney Schoenberger, and Vanessa Smith

2. What Is Solar Energy? Solar energy is: – Energy derived from the sun in the form of radiation

3. Uses of Solar Energy 1.Heat your home 2.Generate electricity 3.Heat water in your home (or swimming pool) 4.Light up your home indoors and outdoors 5.Dry your clothes when they’re put out on te clothesline

4. Solar Energy PROS Earth friendly No pollution Alternative energy source (doesn’t deplete fossil fuels) Renewable Produces energy quietly Free source of electricity Lessen dependence on fossil fuels Available wherever sun is CONS The initial cost of solar cells can be over $1000 Takes a long time to break even on initial installation costs Only useful during daylight hours Cannot be used on cloudy/rainy days(not entirely reliable) Efficiency can be lowered due to current high pollution levels Therefore use is not more widespread

5. How Solar Energy Works

6. How Does It Work? Making electricity out of solar energy is called photovoltaic. Electrical energy from the sun light is resulting from the electromagnetic radiation of the sunlight. Converting electrical energy from solar energy can be done by using solar thermal electric power plants, Power towers, parabolic troughs etc. Hybrid solar lighting is one method of using natural light; this is done by focusing mirrors, sunlight is collected and diverted through optical fibers into the interior of the buildings to provided the building with power.

7. Solar Water Heater Solar Street Light