Directions: Use the information provided and your knowledge of Earth and Space Science to answer the following questions. Show all work where necessary.
Directions: Use the information provided and your knowledge of Earth and Space Science to answer the following questions. Show all work where necessary.
The facts behind this amazing statistic
The Sun generates energy by nuclear reactions which occur at its dense hot core. It produces a massive 382.8 trillion trillion (
The solar constant is the average intensity of the Sun’s radiation at a distance of 1 astronomical unit (the average distance of the Earth from the Sun). It has a value of 1,361 watts per square metre (W/m
Figure 1.
One advantage that solar energy has over other forms of green energy is that it has an almost unlimited potential because of the vast amount of energy reaching the Earth from the Sun. If the problems of distribution and storage could be overcome, it would only be necessary to cover a small fraction of the Earth’s surface with solar panels to meet all of humanity’s energy needs.
To calculate the size of this area, the first thing we need to consider is the amount of solar radiation which actually reaches the Earth’s surface. Although the solar constant is
If we average out over an entire 24 hour cycle the amount of solar radiation hitting the Earth’s surface (known as the solar irradiance) on a clear day at the equator on the equinox is approximately
If averaged out over 12 months and over all locations on the Earth’s surface, then the average solar irradiance is
Figure 2.
Explain why only a fraction of solar radiation that reaches the top of Earth’s atmosphere arrives at the surface.
Which factor would most reduce the efficiency of solar energy collection at Earth’s surface?
Using the data provided, calculate the percentage of solar energy converted to electrical energy by the most efficient solar panels, assuming 22% panel efficiency and
Describe one challenge and one advantage of using solar power as a global energy source.
Based on the text, the global average solar irradiance is
Why would solar energy production be less efficient at higher latitudes?
Using information from the reading, answer: Is it possible to power the world’s energy needs using only solar panels?
Claim:
Evidence:
Reasoning:
Explain how advances in solar technology could impact both developing nations and industrialized regions differently.