Active+Solar+Power


 * __Here Comes The Sun __**

By: Team Bornhom


 * //Important Vocabulary// **

photons- the source of all the energy that is produced using "active solar power" photovoltaic cell power- the tool used to convert the energy from the sun into a electricity Eco friendly- Active solar power is a completely environmentally safe source of energy Greenhouse effect- "flat" solar pannels use the well know greenhouse effect to collect and store heat, that will later be transefered into air or liquids.

//** Advantages and Disadvantages **//

There are many advantages of using active solar power, yet there are some disadvantages. Many people use active solar power becuase it is an eco- friendly means of energy. Unlike many other fuels, active solar power is a renewable source and is not predicted to run out in the next 200 years[9]. Also, after buying a solar panel, there is no extra cost or maintenance needed, unless of course it malfunctions. Another upside to using active solar power is that eventualy it will pay for itself, though this may take a couple of years.[1] This production of energy is especially usefull in places where electricity is not available. Although, solar panels //do// have their flaws. First of all, the sunlight is not constant. Some days, there will be ten hours of sunshine, while other days there will only be a couple of hours of sun. Also, most people don't want a jungle of solar panels in their backyard because they are unsightly and take up a great deal of space, so the locations must be away from civilization, idealy in open areas[2]. Solar pannels are not cheap and require an instalment. For a solar pannel that has the capability to produce enough energy to keep an entire house running will cost in the visinity of 14,000-15,000 dollars[3].


 * //Steps involved in accomplishing active solar power// **
 * 1) The first step in achiving active solar power is the creation of light energy. The sun is the main producer of light energy, creating this type of energy constantly.
 * 2) Next the light energy must be harnessed. Photovoltaic cells do just that, harnessing and converting the energy from the sun into electrical energy.[4]
 * 3) At this point the energy (electrical energy) is know as DC or direct current, with a quick visit to the inverter the energy is converted into AC or alternating current. AC is commonly found in your home, this is also what powers your home.[4]
 * 4) The electrical energy is then sent to the appliances in your house, once the appliances are suffeciently powered the remaining energy is sent to your electrical dealer.
 * 5) When the energy is sent to your electrical dealer you are given credits.[4]
 * 6) The credits come in handy when no solar power is available. The credits are then given back to your electical dealer for free energy. powering your home with the extra eletrical energy that was earlier created. [4]
 * 7) Making active solar power a reliable and efficient way of creating electricity.

This is the Sun were active solar power gets its energy from

// **Explanation of conservation of energy throughout each step** //

The first part using active solar power requires photons from the sun. Photons are particals of energy from the sun that are constanly being generation. The energy from the photons will be collected by photovoltaic cells that are specialy designed to convert the energy into heat or electrical power. Photovoltaic cells begin as sand that is processed into silicon.[5] the silicon is "doped" with diffrent types of chemicals. When Phosphores and Boron is added to the silicon, it creates a electric field.[5] When sunlight hits the solar cells the atom's split off one of their electrons that is then sent to the other side of the cell. Thus allowing electricity to flow into added rods on the underside of the cell.[5] News artical on the debate between solar energy **

[] This news artical describes the many diffrent ways that solar power is created. It also shows how China has become the largest solar pannel producer. [6]

media type="youtube" key="K76r41jaGJg" height="268" width="336" align="left"

This video shows the inside look on the device that is used to turn energy from the sun into electrical power.[7] media type="youtube" key="IsguOo1D04s" height="255" width="331" align="right"

This is an average solar panel

This video shows how energy is created, stored and used.[8]

Footnotes:

1. Jelling, jakob. __Calculating solar panel's return on investment.__ Feb. 8, 2010. ArticlesBase. April 9, 2010 <[]>.

2. __How To for solar panel mounting.__ f AltE university. April 9, 2010. <[]>

3. __How many solar cell would i need in order to provide all of the electricity that my house needs?.__ July 7, 2000. HowStuff Works.com. April 9, 2010. [].

4. T__oday's solar systems are highly efficient, and easy to install!__ Added on october 30, 2008. Youtube.com. April 9, 2010. 

5. __How PV cells produce electricity. A__dded on june 11, 2009. Youtube.com. April 9, 2010. 

6.// "Solar Power". //NewYork Times.// April 1, 2010.

//7.__How PV cells produce electricity. A__dded on june 11, 2009. Youtube.com. April 9, 2010. 

8.T__oday's solar systems are highly efficient, and easy to install!__ Added on october 30, 2008. Youtube.com. April 9, 2010. 

9. Brooke, Bob. __Solar Energy__. United States: Chelsea House publishers, 1992.

10. Morris, Niel. __Solar Power.__ China: Smart Apple Media, 2007.

11. Parks, Peggy. __Solar Power__. San Diego: Reference point press.