7A+Solar+Power+2

__The Awesomeness of Solar Power __ ** By: Amy and Ashley **

**__Introduction __** We would like to introduce you to the method of using Solar Power. Like many other methods, there are advantages, disadvantages, efficiency of its power, how widespread it is, and many other details that make Solar Power quite unique comapred to other methods.

__**How does it work? **__ Solar power, unlike many other methods, has an endless (hopefully endless) intial energy source, the sun itself! The sun most of the time produces enough energy for the solar panels (if the weather is good) which is 1.4 x 10^31 Joules of solar energy (or 3.8 x 10^23 kilowatt per hour). So the solar energy, like most of you should already know, goes into the solar panels (it's next energy source) with the solar panels being at a Solar Power Plant (with huge solar panels) or at a house (a lot smaller than a power plant's). After that, using the photovoltaics effect, also known as solar cells, solar energy is turned into electrical energy; which is then stored into batteries and eventually used in homes. **__How Widespread It Is __** Solar panels are used most in Germany however Spain, United States, Australia, Japan, India, Brazil, Paraguay, Italy, Madagascar, Canada, Portugal, Korea,United Kingdom, Spain, South Korea, Mexico and Israel uses them too. Currently only 0.05% of the world's electricity is made from solar panels but it's predicted that by year 2050, 22% of the world's electricity will be made from solar panels while now, only 0.093% of the world own solar panels. In Africa 13 nations; Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Swaziland, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Congo, Botswana, Zambia, South Africa, Egypt, and Nigeria are using this power source.

**__Benefits and Drawbacks __**
 * __Benefits __**
 * Doesn't produce that much pollution
 * Produces energy quietly
 * Keep hold of electricity- remote locations not linked to national grid
 * Installation of solar panels in remote locations is more cost effective
 * efficient in every large area
 * A lot of places to put solar panels; can put in areas that won't affect environment
 * No need for money once it is installed
 * Less dependent on fossil fuels


 * __Drawbacks __**
 * Method is very expensive
 * Only works during daylight (if no energy stored in batteries); needs sunlight
 * Weather can affect efficiency of solar cells
 * Pollution when making solar panels

__**How It Effects The Environment **__ __**How Efficient It Is **__ Solar panels can send 1000 watts per square meter which means it can send 1.4x10^31 Joules of solar energy and it also means that it can send 3.8x10^23 kilowatt per hour. The amount of energy that goes in to the solar panels depends on the size of the solar panel, the weather, and how much energy it receives from the sun. In addition, installing a solar panel costs approximately $2,400 to $79,000 and of this range 50% if the price of the panels and 30-35% is the price for the inverter.
 * people use less fossil fuels and not waste much energy
 * this method doesn’t affect the environment cause the solar panels usually on top of building
 * Although it makes some pollution, overall, it doesn’t pollute that much
 * It’s a good deal; you only pay a lot for it once, and then afterwards it’s free



**__Role in the Future __** In our opinion we believe that solar energy will be more widespread in the future. This is so because according to our observations, the prices for solar panels have gone down greatly each year and also eventually people would notice what they've done to hurt our mother earth and become more eco-friendly by using solar panels. Also, presently we're depending on fossil fuels for nuclear energy so as a result, the amount of fossil fuel is decreasing daily. The decrease of fossil fuels (due to the fact that they're a limited energy source) will cause people to realize that solar energy is eco-friendly and unlike fossil fuels it will not stop decreasing since the sun is the initial source. Also, the price of fossil fuels is increasing daily and sooner or later it'll be out of your budget limit! So basically we believe that the decrease of Nuclear energy will cause Solar energy to increase. This energy source will be more available since it's initial energy source is the sun and for example if there's an eclipse, solar energy can be stored in a specific type of battery. We also hope that in the future, when the prices of solar panels decrease, people will have their own solar panels, share one in a neighborhood, or share one for the whole apartment building.

__**Bibliography **__ []

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