What is Solar Energy?

Solar energy is energy from the sun that is converted into thermal or electrical energy.

https://www.seia.org/initiatives/about-solar-energy

Who discovered Solar Energy?

Solar energy was discovered by a 19-year old French Scientist, A. E. Becquerel.

Becquerel at the time was learning about phosphorescence and luminescence, which pertain to the emission of light, when he discovered the photovoltaic effect. The photovoltaic effect is a process that generates voltage or an electric current when it is exposed to sunlight. The discovery was seized upon by scientists across the world.

https://tinyurl.com/discoversolarenergy

https://energyeducation.ca/encyclopedia/Photovoltaic_effect

Where is solar energy used?

It can be residential, which is on people roofs, commercial, which is when companies use them to power their buildings.

https://www.redenergy.com.au/understanding-energy/what-is-solar-energy-and-how-does-it-work?cf_chl_jschl_tk=pmd_naiN_OxYLRSB7UP7a3R1NKBCIf8kGD7jMFpFCV2XD7Y-1633122342-0-gqNtZGzNAmWjcnBszQi9

How energy efficient is solar energy?

Most average solar panels will convert 11-15 percent of the solar energy into electrical energy.

Solar Panel Efficiency | How Efficient Is Solar Power.

How cost efficient is solar energy?

After 7.5 years of time on average you will break even. Any time after that will be profitable. This is because the installation, on average is $20,000. The money an average system makes a year is $2,500.

https://news.energysage.com/understanding-your-solar-panel-payback-period/

What are the benefits?

It is a Renewable energy source, which helps the environment

Reduces electric bills because it generates electricity at no cost automatically

Low maintenance after you install, so once its running it will stay that way

Can create electricity or heat with solar energy, so you can make either

https://www.greenmatch.co.uk/blog/2014/08/5-advantages-and-5-disadvantages-of-solar-energy

What are the drawbacks?

It is extremely costly to buy and install the panels especially on a large scale

Very environmentally dependent, so if it's night time or winter time, it is less effective. Also if your house is not facing 1the right way it can't work. If the environment can make or break your plans

The panels can take up a lot of space, so if your a company trying to use them, you have to have the land. https://www.greenmatch.co.uk/blog/2014/08/5-advantages-and-5-disadvantages-of-solar-energy

What does the future look like for solar energy?

The cost will be going down as the technology continues to advance, and the efficiency will be 150% higher then current models.

https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/01/the-future-looks-bright-for-solar-energy/

How does it work?

SOLAR ENERGY

Solar energy is energy from the sun in little particles, and we harvest it using

SOLAR PANELS

They allow photons to separate electrons from atoms, which makes energy.

https://www.livescience.com/41995-how-do-solar-panels-work.html

How is it similar/different to other energy sources?

Solar energy is renewable, alternative and has minimal emissions like hydro and wind. Unlike hydro and wind, it uses more land.

yhju7nhttps://world101.cfr.org/global-era-issues/climate-change/sources-energy-comparison

How much does it cost to install solar panels?

It is $2.61 per watt in nevada and $2.91 across the country

https://www.consumeraffairs.com/solar-energy/how-much-do-solar-panels-cost.html

How much energy comes from solar Globally and nationally (percent)?

2% globally and 3 percent in the us.

https://ourworldindata.org/renewable-energy