SOLAR ENERGY

The PSBB Millennium School

What is Solar Energy?

Solar Energy is the energy received by the earth from the sun This energy is in the form of solar radiation, which makes electricity production possible

Solar Energy in nature

How does the sun get its energy?

Nuclear fusion Mass is converted into energy during reaction

How was Solar Energy used in the past?

Journey through time

1838 - Edmund Becquerel published findings about the nature of materials to turn light into energy. 1876 The first book about solar energy was published 1883 The first photovoltaic cell was built by Charles Frittz 1892-1905 the 1st solar company The Solar motor and Co

Journey through time

1954 Calvin Fuller discovered the use of silicon as a semi-conductor. 1956 1st commercial solar cell 1950s-60s Space programs employed solar technology

Advantages of Solar Energy

Reduced pollution Contributes very less to Global Warming Renewable Reliability Reduced maintenance cost Conserves fuel

Limitations of solar energy

Availability Intensity Cost Transmission Large area is required

Top 10 countries using solar power

S.No Country Germany 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Spain Japan USA Italy Czech Republic Belgium China France India Annual Consumption (MW) 9785 3386 2633 1650 1167 465 363 305 272 120

Top 10 countries using solar power

Consumption (MW)
10000 9000 8000 7000 6000 5000 Consumption (MW) 4000 3000 2000 1000 0 Germany Spain Japan USA Italy Czech Republic Belgium China France India

The future
Solar cells will become more cost-efficient Cars might soon be powered by new fuel cells that create electricity through chemical reaction.

The Future
Solar panels would be mounted to the sides of houses when roof space is not an option. Pools will be heated with solar energy for a fraction of the price of conventional heaters.

The future
CO2 O + CO O2 is formed CO + H2O to form Hydrocarbons

SOLAR

Photo voltaic cells

Converts sunlight directly into electricity It is made out of semiconductors such as silicon

Working of a photovoltaic cell

Light strikes cell

Certain amount of light energy is absorbed by the semiconductor

The energy of the absorbed light knocks electrons loose