In your own words, what are 2 PROS of solar energy?
Question 22
22.
In your own words, what are 2 CONS of solar energy?
Solar panels convert sunlight into ________ energy.
heat
mechanical
chemical
electrical
Solar collectors convert sunlight into _______ energy.
heat
mechanical
chemical
electrical
The main component of a solar panel is the ________.
inverter
battery
photovoltaic cell
concentrated solar power
The sun radiates more energy in one day than the world can use in a year.
advantage
disadvantage
fact
The sun is a star made up mostly of hydrogen and helium gas. It produces radiant energy in a process called nuclear fusion.
fact
advantage
disadvantage
Harnessing radiant energy from the sun is difficult because the energy that reaches the Earth is very spread out.
advantage
disadvantage
Only a small part of the solar energy radiated ever reaches the Earth.
advantage
disadvantage
It takes the sun’s energy just over 8 minutes to travel 93 million miles to the Earth.
fact
advantage
disadvantage
Solar energy is a renewable energy source.
fact
advantage
disadvantage
Solar energy is used to heat passive solar buildings and water.
fact
advantage
disadvantage
The amount of solar energy reaching an area depends on the time of day, season of the year, cloud coverage, and geographic location.
fact
advantage
disadvantage
Solar water heaters can reduce energy bills by half when installed.
fact
advantage
disadvantage
A solar collector can be used to capture sunlight and change it into usable heat energy for the radiators/hot water tank.
fact
advantage
disadvantage
An active solar home in the Northern Hemisphere uses special equipment on the south side of the building to absorb sunlight and change it into thermal energy. Air or water flows through the collector and is warmed by the energy inside.
fact
advantage
disadvantage
Passive solar homes do not depend on mechanical equipment to transform radiant energy into thermal energy.
fact
advantage
disadvantage
Photovoltaic cells can convert radiant energy from the sun directly into electricity.
fact
advantage
disadvantage
Concentrated solar power technology uses reflective mirrors to focus solar energy, producing high temperatures and generating electricity.
fact
advantage
disadvantage
Photovoltaic—or PV—systems have a long payback period because of their initial cost.
fact
advantage
disadvantage
PV cells are used to power homes, roadside telephones, calculators, and toys, and work well for items in remote locations.
fact
advantage
disadvantage
Crystalline silicon PV cells convert only about 16 percent of the energy they receive into electricity.
fact
advantage
disadvantage
Electricity from PV cells has a cost range of $0.12-0.30/kWh. The average cost of electricity (generated mostly from fossil fuels) in the U.S. today is about $0.13 cents/kWh.
fact
advantage
disadvantage
Large solar systems can take up a large amount of land or can be placed on large, flat roofs (but not everyone has).
