AP Environmental Science Notes 6.8 - Solar Energy

Passive Solar Energy

A method that utilizes the sun's heat without mechanical or electronic equipment, such as solar ovens or building orientation.

Active Solar Energy

Utilizes mechanical or electrical equipment to capture and convert sunlight into energy, such as photovoltaic cells or solar water heaters.

Photovoltaic Cells (PV Cells)

Semiconductors, usually made of silicon, that convert sunlight directly into electricity.

Intermittency

The challenge with solar power due to its availability being limited to daylight hours.

Duck Curve

A graph representing the difference between electricity demand and solar energy production, depicting challenges in meeting demand as solar energy diminishes.

Concentrating Solar Thermal (CST)

A solar energy technology that uses mirrors to focus sunlight onto a central receiver, generating heat to produce steam for electricity.

Rooftop Solar

Solar panels installed on individual buildings designed to supply energy for that building.

Community Solar

Large-scale solar farms dedicated to solar electricity production, providing energy to multiple users.

Habitat Destruction

An environmental drawback of solar technologies, particularly from the installation of solar farms and mining for materials.

Sustainable Building Design

Architectural practices that optimize natural sunlight for heating and cooling, such as double-paned windows and roof overhangs.