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Solar Power
Solar power is the conversion of solar energy into electricity or thermal energy, either by indirectly using concentrated solar power or directly using photovoltaics – the use of solar panels which consist of various cells made of photovoltaic material.
3,946 Questions
Do all-stars have solar systems?
well most stars have solar systems, if they are large enough they would have a larger gravitational pull causing other planets to come in its "area" which would basically create a solar system.
Why do people make kowhaiwhai panels?
Kowhaiwhai panels are made by Māori artists as a form of traditional art that often incorporates symbolic designs and patterns found in nature. These panels are used to adorn meeting houses, canoes, and other structures to showcase cultural identity, stories, and genealogy. They are valued for their beauty and as a way to pass down knowledge and history to future generations.
What does the shape of a solar prominence mean?
The shape of a solar prominence refers to the various structures and patterns observed in the Sun's atmosphere. The shape can provide insight into the magnetic fields and plasma dynamics at play within the prominence. Common shapes include arched loops, pillars, and curtains, each offering clues to the processes shaping the Sun's complex magnetic environment.
Are solar panels better on a slanted roof or straight roof?
Solar panels are generally better on a slanted roof because they can capture more sunlight throughout the day compared to a flat roof. Inclined roofs also allow for better water drainage and reduce the risk of debris accumulating on the panels. However, solar panels can still be installed on a flat roof with the use of racks or mounts to angle them for optimal sunlight exposure.
Would solar panels generate more power at a higher altitude?
Not necessarily. Solar panels generate electricity based on the amount of sunlight they receive, not their elevation. However, at higher altitudes, there may be less atmospheric interference which could potentially result in slightly increased efficiency in some cases.
When the Sun was young the solar wind?
When the Sun was young, the solar wind was stronger and more intense compared to what it is today. This was due to the Sun's higher rotation rate and more frequent solar flares and sunspot activity. As the Sun aged, the solar wind gradually weakened to its current levels.
What is solar angle and Beam spreading?
Solar angle refers to the angle at which the Sun's rays strike a surface. Beam spreading is the process by which a concentrated beam of light or energy spreads out as it moves away from its source, resulting in a wider area being illuminated or affected.
What is the phenomena of solar surface?
The solar surface is known as the photosphere, where the temperature is around 5,500 degrees Celsius. It emits visible light and is the layer from which sunlight is emitted. Sunspots, solar flares, and prominences are all phenomena that occur on the solar surface.
What are the disadvanteges of using solar power?
Some disadvantages of using solar power include: high initial installation costs, intermittent energy production due to weather conditions, requirement of large land areas for utility-scale solar plants, and the need for energy storage solutions for nighttime or cloudy periods.
Does the position of the Sun affect the power generated by solar panels?
we can't change the position of the sun but the best position for solar panels is on open land high up on a hill and they should be black to absorb as much heat as possible to generate more pwer
Who is the father of solar energy?
The father of modern solar energy is considered to be Edmond Becquerel, a French physicist who discovered the photovoltaic effect in 1839. His work laid the foundation for the development of solar technology.
When does Earth's tilt allow for the least amount of solar energy to reach Texas?
The least amount of solar energy reaches Texas around the winter solstice, which occurs around December 21st each year. This is when the Northern Hemisphere is tilted furthest away from the sun, resulting in shorter days and lower sun angles.
What is charon in the solar system?
Charon is the largest moon of Pluto, a dwarf planet that was once considered a planet. Charon is so massive compared to Pluto that rather than Charon orbiting Pluto, the two objects orbit a common center of mass. This leads some to called Pluto-Charon a binary planetary system.
Can you use solar panels on the moon?
Does the moon get sunlight? Yes it does. Therefore, you most certainly can use solar panels on the moon. In fact, it will be better on the moon than on the earth, because the moon has no atmosphere to block light, meaning you can collect more energy. The downside is that there is also radiation that will damage the panel. This is why panels for use in space tend to use thicker silicon wafers and other methods to make them radiation hardened.
What percent of California power is made by solar panels?
A decade ago, only 500 rooftops in California boasted solar panels that harvest the sun's energy. Today, there are nearly 50,000 solar-panel installations in the state, according to a report to be issued Thursday by the research and lobbying group Environment California.
MultimediaGraphic Harvesting SunshineAs a result, California, the longtime national leader in solar energy, has a capacity of more than 500 megawatts of solar power at peak periods in the early afternoon --- the same as a major power plant.
The solar capacity in California grew by a third from 2007 to 2008. It now represents about two-thirds of the national total, according to a different report that is being prepared by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council, a nonprofit group promoting expansion of solar energy.
As the Obama administration pushes for a national shift to more renewable energy sources, California's example is therefore being closely watched. Nationally, the states in which solar installations are spreading fastest are those that provide the most generous subsidies for them, industry experts agree.
Two long-term statewide programs in California provide rebates and other financial incentives to encourage rooftop solar panels, and individual municipalities like Berkeley are also beginning to offer financing for the solar arrays.
"The thing about California is that they have a consistent program that has 10 years of funding," said Larry Sherwood, a consultant to the interstate council.
(The California budget cuts that were being brokered Wednesday will not directly affect the subsidies because the subsidies are underwritten by utility ratepayers, not taxpayers.)
New Jersey is a distant second to California in installed solar capacity with 70 megawatts, followed by Colorado and Nevada, the council's report said.
The Clean Energy program in New Jersey offers qualifying residential and commercial customers rebates for energy generated by solar arrays.
"Typically, New Jersey incentives have been higher, but its program has had many fits and starts," Mr. Sherwood said.
Within California, solar technology has spread beyond highly environmentally conscious areas like San Francisco and Sacramento over the last decade to gain a hold throughout the state, Environment California's report indicates. As of the end of 2008, when the report's figures were compiled, San Diego had more than 19 megawatts in capacity from installations on 2,200 roofs, followed by San Jose with 15.4 megawatts from 1,330 roofs and Fresno with 14.5 megawatts from 1,028 roofs.
"The biggest thing here," said Bernadette Del Chiaro, the report's author, "is that from farms to firehouses, the face of solar power is changing. While California's biggest cities have led the way, the rest of the state and country are quickly picking up on it."
She added that the cities of the Central Valley, which is both heavily agricultural and baking hot in the summer, are natural places for the solar panels. High air-conditioning loads and high peak electricity rates tend to dovetail partly with the afternoon hours when solar panels are most effective, she noted, giving people an incentive to embrace the new technology.
Nationally, residential installations account for about a third of the energy supplied to the power grid by photovoltaic arrays on panels; the remainder come from installations on larger facilities, like government buildings, retail stores and military installations.
Each of the four top-ranked cities in California in terms of solar power capacity have more electricity available from these sources than all but six states.
Still, 10 states, led by Colorado and including Hawaii, Connecticut, Oregon, Arizona, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts more than doubled their rooftop solar capacity in 2008, Mr. Sherwood said.
While most installations are on rooftops, the number of larger-scale installations is increasing. Fresno's total output is augmented by a 2.4-megawatt facility at the Fresno Yosemite International airport, while the local Sierra Nevada brewery in Chico has a 1.9-megawatt solar array.
Outside the state, Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada has the largest photovoltaic generating plant, with 70,000 panels generating 14 megawatts of electricity, according to the federal Energy Information Administration.
But even with the increases of the last decade, solar power is a pipsqueak among energy sources; it represents about one-quarter of 1 percent of California's total energy capacity, according to the California Energy Commission. Nationally, according to the Energy Information Administration, it represents about 0.02 percent of total capacity, but those federal figures are incomplete: they reflect only centralized facilities, not distributed rooftop installations.
Cost is a major hurdle; installation of a rooftop system is likely to cost at least $20,000.
In other countries, according to the Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century, a research and advocacy group, government subsidies have led to rapid growth in solar power. The group's latest report shows Germany as the world leader in solar power, with 5,400 megawatts, or about 1 percent of the country's total generating capacity.
Where do solar power get its energy from?
Solar power gets its energy from the Sun. Photovoltaic cells in solar panels convert sunlight into electricity by absorbing photons from the sunlight and creating an electric current. This renewable energy source is a clean and sustainable alternative to fossil fuels.
What causes the solar eslipses?
A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, blocking the Sun's light and casting a shadow on Earth's surface. This alignment happens during a new moon phase when the three celestial bodies are in a straight line.
Which organelle is like a solar panel?
Chloroplasts are like solar panels in plant cells because they capture sunlight and convert it into chemical energy through photosynthesis.
How is a solar panel similar to chloroplast?
Both a solar panel and chloroplasts are involved in capturing sunlight and converting it into energy. Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity, while chloroplasts in plant cells convert sunlight into chemical energy through photosynthesis. Both technologies utilize the energy from sunlight to power different processes.
Solar means "of, relating to, or determined by the Sun".
What are the advantages of solar eclips?
Solar eclipses allow scientists to study the sun's corona, which is not typically visible, and provide valuable insights into the sun's atmosphere and magnetic field. They also create a rare and awe-inspiring natural phenomenon that can inspire wonder and curiosity about the universe. Additionally, solar eclipses have cultural and historical significance in many societies.
Is it possible to get solar energy onto the moon?
Yes, it is possible to generate solar energy on the moon using solar panels. The lack of atmosphere on the moon means that solar panels can capture sunlight more efficiently compared to on Earth. However, there are challenges such as the lunar day-night cycle and lunar dust accumulation that need to be overcome for sustainable energy generation.
In theory, solar energy will be available for billions of years, as long as the sun exists. However, factors like atmospheric conditions and natural disasters may temporarily impact the availability of solar energy in specific locations.
Where are the best places to use solar panels?
The best places to use solar panels are in areas with plenty of sunlight and minimal shade, such as rooftops of buildings, open fields, and deserts. These locations will maximize the efficiency of the solar panels and generate more electricity from the sun's energy.
Depending on what type of solar panels they are. For example, a solar panel will work anywhere if it has charged energy from the sun. However, some solar panels are immobile, or cannot be moved. If you charge something in the sun for five hours, then bring it inside, the solar panel energy will still work but you will not be able to recharge it until the ultraviolet waves can again reach the device.
