Solar Energy @solarpowerya-blog - Tumblr Blog

Solar panels on a farm in Harvard, MA!

History of Solar Power! The history of solar energy begins with Leonardo da Vinci whose sketches dating back to the 15th century show that he had been designing techniques for harnessing solar energy. It seems not much had developed from then since other proof of solar power studies dated centuries later, during the 1700s. It was at this time when a Swiss scientist named Horace de Saussure began studying the potential of solar energy. In 1767, he was recognized for developing a solar energy collector (also known as a "hot box"), a first in the entire world. During the late 1830s, a French physicist named Edmond Becquerel published his own studies on how light can be converted into energy. His findings, though, were not applied into actual technologies. It was also during this time when a British astronomer named John Herschel used a hot box, seemingly based on Horace de Saussure's invention, to cook food when he went on an expedition to South Africa. Not until the 1860s did solar energy begin to be taken seriously through the efforts of a French mathematician named Auguste Mouchout. Through funding, he was able to develop the very first motor that runs on solar energy. It was also he who invented the first solar-powered steam engine that he also used to make ice by connecting it to a refrigeration During the 1870s, William Adams, a British official based in India, used mirrors to harness energy from the sun in order to power a steam engine. The design of his invention is still being used today. By 1883, the first solar cell was invented by Charles Fritz. http://www.benefits-of-recycling.com/whoinventedsolarenergy.html

BY: CARLY BURNS AND BREANA MILLER

Renewable Energy Project

Environmental Science

Mr. D

What are the advantages?

There exists many different advantages of solar power related to using solar energy on a large and small scale.

You are able to produce solar power for your home through increasingly easier and cheaper methods related to this natural energy source.

One of the main advantages of a solar power system for your home is the lack of pollution given off by solar panels when generating electricity.

The only pollution you could associate with a solar power cell would be the production of the cell, and transportation of the cell until it reaches your home, then maybe the use of electricity to power the tools needed while your panel is installed and maintained.

The initial investment of solar panels is quickly seen as a small price to pay when you realize the savings you could make over the coming months and years on your electricity bill.

Another advantage of solar energy is that the energy source (the sun) is completely renewable unlike the source which is probably generating your current power supply.

Advantages of solar energy also include the ability to harness power in remote locations.

This has proved a very important advantage of solar power in order to bring electricity to some of the most remote places on earth.

A home solar power system can make a huge difference to mountain communities where it may be hard to construct power lines in order to reach such areas.

Newer technologies have enabled us to store the solar electricity we harness though the use of solar power battery chargers. This is a huge advantage of why you should integrate solar power to influence your home power supply

http://www.clean-energy-ideas.com/articles/advantages_of_solar_power.html

What is the basic type of machine, material and/or process that helps convert your energy into electricity?

Solar panels are devices that convert light into electricity. They are called “solar” panels because most of the time, the most powerful source of light available is the Sun, called Sol by astronomers. Some scientists call them photovoltaics which means, basically, “light-electricity.”

A solar panel is a collection of solar cells. Lots of small solar cells spread over a large area can work together to provide enough power to be useful. The more light that hits a cell, the more electricity it produces, so spacecraft are usually designed with solar panels that can always be pointed at the Sun even as the rest of the body of the spacecraft moves around, much as a tank turret can be aimed independently of where the tank is going.

http://www.qrg.northwestern.edu/projects/vss/docs/power/1-what-are-solar-panels.html

Where in the USA and world are excellent locations for this type of energy?

The best places in the US for solar power is the south west, or anywhere else where the sun is always shinin’! 8)

What Are The Disadvantages??

One of the main disadvantages is the initial cost of the equipment used to harness the suns energy. Solar energy technologies still remain a costly alternative to the use of readily available fossil fuel technologies. As the price of solar panels decreases, we are likely to see an increase in the use of solar cells to generate electricity.

A solar energy installation requires a large area for the system to be efficient in providing a source of electricity. This may be a disadvantage in areas where space is short, or expensive (such as inner cities).

Pollution can be a disadvantage to solar panels, as pollution can degrade the efficiency of photovoltaic cells. Clouds also provide the same effect, as they can reduce the energy of the suns rays. This certain disadvantage is more of an issue with older solar components, as newer designs integrate technologies to overcome the worst of these effects.

Solar energy is only useful when the sun is shining. During the night, your expensive solar equipment will be useless, however the use of solar battery chargers can help to reduce the effects of this disadvantage.

The location of solar panels can affect performance, due to possible obstructions from the surrounding buildings or landscape.

Who were the first people to use this type of power?

The ancient Greek and Native Americans were the first to use solar power to their benefit, dating back as early as 400BC. Native Americans and the ancient Greek built their houses into the side of hills to take advantage of the heat storage from the sun during the day that would then be released during the night.

http://historyofsolarpower.com/

What are the environmental consequences?

There are not many environmental consequences of using solar power, however the manufacturing of solar panels causes greenhouse gases to be emitted into the air along with some other kinds of emissions stem from solar power production as well. There is also worry that room for solar panels will run out.

How G&E creates a solar panel system that can charge electric cars!

A local man from Detroit makes a difference in solar panels!

Trending Blogs

Recently Viewed Blogs

Solar Energy