Solar+Energy+(Caitlin+Brett)

What is Solar Energy? ** Solar energy is simply the energy from the sun, which can be converted into a highly efficient, environmentally-friendly, renewable energy source in the form of either electrical or thermal energy. This energy can be harvested using a couple of varying methods, including passive vs. active and concentrating vs. non-concentrating. In most cases, we will be refering to active, non-concentrating (or Photovoltaic) methods of energy collection. In this particular process, silicon Photovoltaic cells are arranged across the solar panels, maximizing surface area in order to absorb the rays from the sun most efficiently. This energy then releases electrons in the silicon which then begin form an electrical current, transforming into what we know as electrical energy (see diagrams and video clip below). This now readily-available source of electricity is commonly used for simple heating and lighting purposes and is particularly useful because the amount of needed energy can be carefully calculated and accomodated to so that the solar cells are used efficiently and without any excess energy going to waste. Solar power is becoming extremely popular, especially in areas with ideal conditions, recieving large amounts of concentrated sunlight during the day.



Through the use of solar energy we are trying to provide a clean, green, alternative energy source that will help to reduce humans' pollution & carbon emissions, fossil fuels. In this way, it is addressing both global warming from excess greenhouse gasses and the depleting energy resources in our world today. When is it useful?** While solar energy can be used basically anywhere on earth where the sun shines, it is certainly more useful in certain locations than others. Places that attain the most consistent, most intense rays of sunlight will definitely be able to gather the most solar energy, although this same idea can also cause problems for areas which do not have such ideal conditions and climates. Another factor of solar energy which is particularly useful is that while it is a renewable energy source, the amount actually taken in and processed by the solar panels can be calculated to fit almost any purpose, whether big or small. Passive solar harvesting can also be mentioned here, because this process, although it does not directly take in and convert the energy from the sun, can be extremely resourceful in the construction of green buildings. Careful attention to details when building a house or other structure can help to trap the thermal energy of the sun, minimizing the amount of electric energy needed to provide heat for that same space.
 * What problems is it trying to address?**
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Solar energy directly impacts the carbon cycle in that it can help to reverse some of the damage that we as humans have done to throw off the natural balance of this cycle. Over the centuries, humans have negatively impacted the biosphere by harvesting and burning massive amounts of fossil fuels, consequentially releasing an equally massive amount of carbon (greenhouse) gasses into the atmosphere. Also, we have decreased the chances of these carbon emissions being used and recycled back into the cycle because of the destruction of trees and vegetation worldwide. So, in order to reverse such adverse affects, we are beginning to turn to clean energy alternatives (like solar energy) that are more efficient, reduce our dependency on fossil fuels, and greatly reduce pollution in our atmosphere.
 * How does the topic relate to one or more of the nutrient cycles (carbon, nitrogen, phosphorous, water) discussed in class?**

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 * What are the possible consequences of using solar energy on the environment?**
 * < ** Positive Consequences ** ||< ** Negative Consequences ** ||
 * < * Renewable energy source
 * Zero pollution
 * Reduces our dependency on non-renewable fossil fuels
 * Helps to reverse our negative impacts on the carbon cycle
 * Zero carbon emissions released into the atmosphere
 * Solar paneling is easily incorporated into almost any building project with a minimal amount of space needed
 * Costs for solar paneling is reduced when more and more cells are being manufactured and installed (everything is cheaper in bulk)
 * ...Therefore, if solar powered projects/technologies are invested in and financed for the future, the equipment needed to harness solar energy will drop in price over time and become more affordable to more home/business owners.
 * __ ||< * Initially, photovoltaic cells for the solar panels can be very expensive to manufacture and install
 * The harvesting of solar energy can easily be affected by...
 * adverse weather conditions
 * pollution in the atmosphere
 * Also, solar energy cannot be collected at night


 * Is it a viable solution to protect the biosphere?**

Taking advantage of solar energy would help to address a wide variety of environmental and economic issues with which we are faced today. Switching our focus to a cleaner, more efficient form of energy such as solar energy (along with similar alternative sources like nuclear energy or wind energy) can help to greatly reduce our dependency on fossil fuels. This acts as both an environmental and an economic benefit, because it reduces the carbon emissions of our world as a whole, and also reduces our nation's dependency on foreign oil imports Currently, the sole major drawback of solar energy is simply that it can be expensive. However, this can easily be remedied in the near future, because further investment and research in this field of study could lead to more advanced solar panel technology and a consequential drop in price for the more standard, everyday solar energy equipment. Hopefully, this alternative resource will soon become more accessible to common home and business owners, displacing the older, more harmful energy options and turning excessive carbon emissions into a thing of the past.


 * Works Cited:**

//Energy Savers: Active Solar Heating//. (2009, March 24). Retrieved October 9, 2009, from []

//Plazanimal - Solar Panels in Chile//. (n.d.). Retrieved October 16, 2009, from []

//Power from the Sun//. (n.d.). Retrieved October 9, 2009, from []

//Pros And Cons Of Solar Energy//. (n.d.). Retrieved October 9, 2009, from []

//Renewable - Solar//. (n.d.). Retrieved October 9, 2009, from []

//YouTube - US Department of Energy - Explanation of Solar Cells//. (n.d.). Retrieved October 13, 2009, from []