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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
What are the disadvantages of solar power?
1) Initial cost of the equipment used for the solar energy, although the costs are getting less expensive.
2) A large area for the solar energy installation is needed to provide enough energy, so it is a disadvantage in locations where there is limited space. Because a large area needs to be harnessed, the costs to cover that area with equipment will increase.
3) Pollution and clouds reduce the energy of the sun's rays.
4) Useful primarily when the sun is shining, but that eliminates most of the cloudy weathers and night times.
5) Location of the solar panels affect performance. If you're in a place with skyscrapers or other architectures (or landscapes), they may block out the sun.
6) Some PV panels do not work well in warm temperatures. Keeping units cool requires energy.
7) Batteries are required to store energy.
8) Useful sunlight is very brief. Some areas will have very minimal energy input.
9) Solar panels decay fairly quickly. Most are at 75% of their best efficiency in under twenty five year.
10) The output is direct current. This must be converted into a useful energy before most appliances will operate on the power.
Solar power is great overall, but some disadvantages are that solar panels, installation, and repairs are VERY expensive. Also, the weather can effect the efficiency of the solar panels. Solar panels can only process energy throughout the day, even though it usually has enough power saved up to run everything all through the night, which is another disadvantage. And pollution levels can also effect the solar panels efficiency.
The disadvantages of solar is that the sun only shines about half of the time. During the dark hours of the day, no solar energy can be produced.
Cost, energy needed to make panels
1. Solar energy can only be harnessed when it is daytime and sunny.
2. Solar collectors, panels and cells are relatively expensive to manufacture although prices are falling rapidly.
3. Solar power stations can be built but they do not match the power output of similar sized conventional power stations. They are also very expensive.
4. In countries such as the UK, the unreliable climate means that solar energy is also unreliable as a source of energy. Cloudy skies reduce its effectiveness.
5. Large areas of land are required to capture the suns energy. Collectors are usually arranged together especially when electricity is to be produced and used in the same location.
6. Solar power is used to charge batteries so that solar powered devices can be used at night. However, the batteries are large and heavy and need storage space. They also need replacing from time to time.
Photovoltaics (PV) panels have 3 major drawbacks
1) they require a substantial initial investment ($15,000.00-$50,000.00 for a whole house set up)
2) they have an effective life of 25 years or less
3) they are relatively inefficient, processing only limited wavelengths of sunlight into electricity
sure that they don't work at night also they don't work in a cloudy day of if it's raining.they are a renovale way to produce electricity, and they produce much energy if the weather's sunny almost the whole year, if you are in africa those solar panels are the right for you cheaper and you don't have to pay electricty bills every month!
1. Solar energy can only be harnessed when it is daytime and sunny.
2. Solar collectors, panels and cells are relatively expensive to manufacture although prices are falling rapidly.
3. Solar power stations can be built but they do not match the power output of similar sized conventional power stations. They are also very expensive.
4. In countries such as the UK, the unreliable climate means that solar energy is also unreliable as a source of energy. Cloudy skies reduce its effectiveness.
5. Large areas of land are required to capture the suns energy. Collectors are usually arranged together especially when electricity is to be produced and used in the same location.
6. Solar power is used to charge batteries so that solar powered devices can be used at night. However, the batteries are large and heavy and need storage space. They also need replacing from time to time.
What is the relationship between coal and solar power?
They can both be used to generate electricity. Coal is solar energy trapped by plants millions of year ago. It contains toxic materials including mercury that is released into the atmosphere when it is burned. The carbon dioxide removed over millions of years is released quickly into the atmosphere.
Solar power is clean but cannot be cheaply stored to provide energy on cloudy days and at night.
It may be cheaper to combine solar and coal energy sources to overcome the limitations of both. For instance solar thermal energy can be used to turn coal into gas, which can be cleaned to remove toxic chemicals. The solar-gas can be stored to generate clean energy 24 hours a day.
A further description of how this might be done, combining solar and coal energy is here: http://blog.gerbilnow.com/2011/11/energy-business-opportunity.html
What is an example of solar energy?
When you install solar hot water panels or evacuated tubes on your roof and you get hot water free, that is one of the best examples of how you can take advantage of solar energy and also cut down on the amount of gas or electricity that you use.
How does solar energy affect the environment?
Solar energy, direct from the sun, warms the earth. This is good, because the earth is thus warm enough for life.
In the past, before we started adding amounts of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere, there was an energy balance. Enough warmth came in, and enough escaped back out to space, to keep the temperature stable. Now, by the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas) in industry, transport and the generation of electricity, which releases carbon dioxide (CO2), we are stopping some of this heat escaping to space, and the earth is warming.
Solar energy, captured on rooftops, and turned into electricity, is good for the environment and it slows global warming, because the electricity is clean, with no carbon dioxide emissions. Any electricity generated by PV panels means that less has to be generated by burning coal and oil.
Solar panels were invented by Bell Labs in 1954. The team was led by Gerald Pearson, Calvin Fuller, and Daryl Chapin. They created the first working silicon solar cell, which eventually led to the development of modern solar panels.
One downside of solar energy is that it is intermittent and dependent on weather conditions, so energy storage solutions are needed for reliability. Additionally, the initial investment for installing solar panels can be high, although costs are decreasing over time. Lastly, solar panels can take up space and may require permits for installation, which can be a drawback for some locations.
What are the disadvantages to solar energy?
Some of the disadvantages of solar energy are the means of collection and the necessity of the sun. Solar panels can be very fragile and easily broken and they do not operate at peak efficiency unless aligned properly.
Where was the first solar panel invented?
The first solar panel was invented at Bell Laboratories in the United States in 1954 by scientists Calvin Fuller, Daryl Chapin, and Gerald Pearson. They created the first practical photovoltaic cell using silicon, opening the door to modern solar technology.
How much solar energy is left in this world?
Who was the first person to use solar energy?
The first person known to use solar energy was Edmond Becquerel, a French physicist, who discovered the photovoltaic effect in 1839. This laid the foundation for the development of solar panels and the harnessing of solar energy for various applications.
How does solar energy reach earth?
Solar energy reaches Earth in the form of sunlight. It is emitted by the sun as electromagnetic radiation and travels through space before reaching our planet. This sunlight carries energy that can be harnessed using solar panels to generate electricity.
What are some examples of Solar Energy?
Some examples of solar energy include solar panels on rooftops or in solar farms that convert sunlight into electricity, solar water heaters that use sunlight to heat water for residential or commercial use, and small-scale solar-powered gadgets like calculators or outdoor lights.
How does man use Solar Energy?
Man uses solar energy by installing solar panels on buildings to convert sunlight into electricity. This electricity can then be used to power homes, businesses, and even vehicles. Solar energy can also be used for heating water and spaces through solar thermal systems.
What effect does solar energy have on the environment in North America?
Solar energy has a positive impact on the environment in North America by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, decreasing air and water pollution, and conserving natural resources. It helps to mitigate climate change and promotes sustainability by providing a clean and renewable source of electricity.
When was solar power invented?
Solar power as a concept has been around for centuries, but the first practical solar cell was invented in 1954 by Bell Labs. This marked the beginning of modern solar power technology.
Is there a Bible verse talking about solar power?
The Bible does not directly mention solar power as we know it today. However, some Christians interpret verses such as Psalm 19:1-6 and Genesis 1:14-19 as reflecting God's power and creation of the sun, which can be connected to solar energy.
Solar energy is obtained through the use of solar panels which capture sunlight and convert it into electricity. These panels contain photovoltaic cells that absorb photons from the sun and generate a flow of electrons, creating an electrical current. This electrical current can then be used to power homes, buildings, and other devices.
Solar quantities refer to measurements or characteristics associated with solar energy, such as solar radiation, solar insolation, solar irradiance, or solar intensity. These quantities are used to evaluate the amount of sunlight available for generating electricity through solar panels or for other solar applications.
What are two ways of collecting solar energy?
Two ways of collecting solar energy are through photovoltaic panels, which convert sunlight directly into electricity, and through solar thermal systems, which convert sunlight into heat for heating water or air. Both technologies are renewable and environmentally friendly.
A solar oven uses sunlight to heat up food inside a box with reflective walls and a clear lid. The sunlight enters through the lid and is trapped as heat energy, which cooks the food at high temperatures, similar to a conventional oven. Solar ovens are environmentally friendly and can be used in areas where electricity or gas is limited.
Who invented the solar cap fan?
The invention of the solar cap fan is not credited to any specific individual. However, it was invented in China in the late 1980's.
Why is solar energy difficult to harness?
Solar energy can be difficult to harness for several reasons, including intermittent availability due to weather conditions and the need for large surface areas to capture sufficient sunlight. Additionally, the efficiency of solar panels in converting sunlight into electricity is still limited, and the initial cost of implementing solar technology can be expensive.
When was the 365 day calendar invented?
In 46 BCE, Julius Caesar reformed the Roman calendar by extending the common year from 355 days to 365 days. Two years later, the month of Quintilis was renamed July in his honor. 36 years after that, the month of Sextilis was renamed August in honor of his successor, Augustus Caesar.
Solar power as a concept has been known for centuries, but the modern technology behind solar panels and their conversion of sunlight into electricity was developed in the mid-20th century by scientists in the United States. Some key contributors include Bell Labs, which produced the first practical solar cell in 1954, and Russell Ohl, who is credited with inventing the modern solar cell.
