7B+Solar+Power

Solar Power by Jai and Norishige 7B
 * Introduction**

Solar power is energy that is made from the suns energy. [|Solar panels] are items used to make this energy.The sun is the main source for solar power. The solar panel absorbs the sun's beams and converts it to usable energy.


 * How does it work?**

When the sun(1) falls on the solar panel(2), the photo voltaic cells convert the sun energy into DC. Next, the inverter(3) changes the energy from DC to AC. After that the electricity meter(4),which measures both the power people use and the power people don't use, measures the power consumption in half hour intervals. The electricity grid(5) is connected to houses.It stores the extra energy and when the people need power, it will provide it. [|photovoltaic cells] are the direct conversion of sunlight changed into electricity. The electricity is then stored in battery banks. The solar panel has a [|photoelectric effect] and it captures the photons of light and free electrons. After the electrons are trapped and there is electric current so it can be use as electricity.
 * How widespread is it?**

More than 30 countries in the world use this renewable source of [|energy]. Germany, Spain, Japan, USA, Italy, Czech Republic, Belgium, China, France and India are the ten countries that use it the most. 1%-2% of the world 's power comes from solar power. Harare, Zimbabwe, Egypt, Morocco and 11 other southern African countries use solar power. The US is the country that uses it the most in the whole world. Solar power can send out a lot of electricity. It depends on their size,the bigger the more watts it generates.

How efficient is it?
Solar power can send out electricity to our home. It depends on their size and the sunlight. The larger the solar panel the bigger the amount of electricity it can produce. For example, a normal solar panel can produce 180 watts in bright sunlight. A solar panel has a lot of energy that goes into it. About 10 square feet of solar panel can produce from 100 to 200 watts. Compared to other energy sources, [|solar power] is more expensive because the installation of solar panels are very expensive. To install a power plant for a family, it will cost from 12,000$ to 26,000$.


 * Benefits and drawbacks**
 * Benefits:**
 * Limitless source of fuel
 * Sun's energy is free
 * Solar power is renewable
 * Easy to install
 * Creates no pollution
 * Solar cell can last a long time
 * Expensive in the beginning, but when time passes, you actually save a lot of money
 * Is improving all the time
 * Very little maintenance to keep solar panel working
 * Solar cell make no noise at all


 * Drawbacks:**
 * At night, during a cloudy day or a storm there is no light for the solar panels
 * Not all the same places on the globe receive the same radiation
 * Solar panel and solar cell are expensive
 * During a storm no electricity for solar power to absorb

Opinion of the role of solar power in the future
We think that solar power will be frequently used in the future because it is a renewable source of energy and it does not destroy or harm the environment around us. If the other sources of energy run out, solar power will still be here thanks to the suns energy. The sun will keep sending its rays, so the solar panels photo voltaic cells will continue capturing. In our opinion, solar panel prices will increase in the future because it will be a more demanded source due to its renew ability and Eco-friendliness. We think that it will help in the future more than any other energy sources because the sun will always be here to produce electricity. We also think that this source of energy will be stronger and will produce more electricity. Thanks to the sun, we do not need to use anything to get the solar energy except the items to make the solar panels. We think that solar power will be a very advantageous source of power in the future. In addition, we also think that solar power will play a great role in the future. Solar power will help us throughout our life.

**Bibliography**
[] [] [] [] [] [] [] [] [] [] [] [] [] [] http://www.solar-energy-at-home.com/how-is-solar-energy-stored.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_power http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_panel http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy
 * Information:**

[] [] http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Td_WrVUPVdc/T16IWOcXEmI/AAAAAAAAAnE/Widb6zR9To0/s1600/indiachinaprojections.jpg http://solarenergyfactsblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/how-solar-system-works-diagram.gif
 * Pictures:**