Solar and Geothermal power

By Matthew Goforth

Solar Power

Solar power is energy that is converted from the suns rays. These rays are converted into energy through these panels called solar cells. The solar cells and other ways of capturing solar power work in many different ways. Some solar panels concentrate the suns heat onto I focused point and the heat that is made can then be used for a regular power plant. Solar cells collect the suns rays and then directly convert it into energy.

Solar Power

• Solar power is mostly used to power homes and buildings

• The benefits of solar energy is that the energy put out by the suns is plentiful and is reliable

• The drawbacks are that solar power only really works during the day.

• The government has already set up a lot of “solar farms” all over the United States.

Solar Power• Solar power isn’t our current

major supply because that the existing solar cells are not efficient enough to supply enough energy.

• Plus, the fact that energy is only being supplied in the day time limits its effectiveness

• But solar power does not release anything into the environment.

Geothermal Power

Geothermal power is power supplied by the earth it self. Hot water from under the earths surface changes to steam and is extracted from underground and used for a power plant. After what water is left is pumped back into the earth to be turned back into hot water and steam.

Geothermal Power

• Geothermal is also used to power homes.

• Geothermal power does not pollute.

• No fuel is being burned• Geothermal power stations do not

take up much space.• The drawbacks of Geothermal

energy are that dangerous gas might rise to the surface

• And that Geothermal sites might run out of steam

Geothermal Power

• The government has set up a few Geothermal Plants.

• The reason that this hasn’t replaced fossil fuels is that Geothermal plants can only be built in certain places.

• But Geothermal power only really releases cold water back into the ground

Solar and Geothermal Power

• I got a lot of my information on Solar Power at http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/energy/solar-cell.htm

• I got my info for Geothermal Power at http://www.darvill.clara.net/altenerg/geothermal.htm