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Operation S.M.A.R.T.
Girls Incorporated® of Greater Houston
Solar Energy Workshop
Sponsored by
Solar Power
– Solar power is energy from the Sun.
Solar Energy
Solar Energy– Refers to direct use of the Solar Power.– Energy arrives on Earth as light and heat.
(Radiant Energy)
The Sun
Located at the Center of Solar System;
150,000,000 kilometers from Earth.
1 million degrees Celsius at the Core.
Only a small portion of energy produced (by the Sun) reaches Earth.
Harnessing Solar Energy
Three kinds of Technology:
– Solar Reflectors
– Solar Collectors
– Photovoltaic Cells –or- Solar Cells
Reflectors
Use special lenses/mirrors that concentrate the sun’s rays to produce heat.
Used to generate electricity, melt metals, cook foods, etc.
Collectors
Converts radiant energy into heat.Used to heat building & provide hot water
to homes.Two types of collectors:
– ACTIVE– PASSIVE
Photovoltaic/Solar Cells
Capture the Sun’s energy and convert it into electricity.
Photovoltaic/Solar Cells
What are they made out of?– Two layers of silicon with chemicals in the
middle.– One layer contains boron, which gives it a
Negative charge (“N” layer).– Other layer has phosphorous which give it a
Positive charge (“P” layer).
Photovoltaic Systems
How do they work?– When you attach conducting wires (from
generator) to the “P” and “N” layers, a power source is formed.
– When the power source is exposed to sunlight, electrons flow from one layer to the other to produce electricity.
Photovoltaic Systems
Some History– Developed in 1954 through the space program.– Were originally used as a means of recharging
batteries and powering various systems in space crafts.
– Currently used to produce electricity to power satellites in space.
Advantages of using Solar Energy
It’s free.
It’s renewable.
It’s the cleanest and most exhaustible source of energy.
Disadvantages of using Solar Energy
Power levels can vary. – Some days have little or no sun.
It’s expensive to produce.– The high cost of solar energy technology stops
it from being more widely used.