Solar Power

By Tyler Clark

How Solar is Produced

• Solar radiation is converted into direct current(DC) through semiconductors

• The vast amount of electricity captured by the panel is organized and condensed by the charge controller

• From the battery, DC power can either be converted into alternating current(AC) or sent in DC power

How Solar is Transported• All electricity uses DC power over longer distances as it’s

more efficient for that range• Solar plants use DC, but in cities and towns AC is more

practical• Solar panels installed on roads can deliver power to a

broader range of places• Low maintenance costs and 4x the lifespan of asphalt

roads• Higher start up costs: $7,000 per 12x12 panel

How Consumers Use Solar

• Solar power can be used from water heating to car battery charging

• Panels installed on a roof of a house can use its power

• Efficiency of panels typically range from 12-18 percent

• Recent developments improve efficiency and thinness and lower costs by 50%

Environmental Impacts• Solar panels do not

directly produce air pollution or noise

• The manufacture and disposal of panels do have a negative impact

• Poisonous gases and acids are produced from their manufacture

• Doesn’t contribute to global warming, acid rain, and smog

Work Cited• Bonnot, Craig. "The Environmental Impact of Solar Panels | eHow.com." eHow |

How to Videos, Articles & More - Discover the expert in you. | eHow.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Mar. 2012. <http://www.ehow.com/about_5437044_environmental-impact-solar-panels.html>.

• "Solar Panel Efficiency Comparison | SRoeCo Solar." Solar Panel Efficiency. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Mar. 2012. <http://sroeco.com/solar/most-efficient-solar-panels>.

• "Twin Creeks Technologies - Less is More.." Twin Creeks Technologies - Less is More.. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Mar. 2012. <http://twincreekstechnologies.com/>.

• "What is the environmental impact of using solar energy." The Q&A wiki. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Mar. 2012. <http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_environmental_impact_of_using_solar_energy>.

• country. "Solar roadway - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Mar. 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_roadway