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Solar Energy

Solar Energy. Overview. What is energy? Fossil fuels Energy use (in Hawaii, in world) Issues of energy use (e.g. climate change) Alternative energy: Solar energy captured through solar panels This energy captured from the sun can be used to power- Solar cars, houses, etc. What is Energy?.

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Solar Energy

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  1. Solar Energy

  2. Overview • What is energy? • Fossil fuels • Energy use (in Hawaii, in world) • Issues of energy use (e.g. climate change) • Alternative energy: Solar energy captured through solar panels • This energy captured from the sun can be used to power- Solar cars, houses, etc.

  3. What is Energy? • Definition: Ability to do Work (move an object), by applying a Force (push or pull) • Forms of Energy: • Electrical • Mechanical • Chemical • Thermal • Nuclear

  4. Properties of Energy • Energy can be transformed from one form to another. For example: • Electrical energy running through a circuit to a fan can power the blades of a fan to move transforming to Mechanical energy • Foodyou ate is stored as Chemical energy when you use it to maintain your body temperature you’re converting to Thermal energy • There’s also two states of energy: • Kinetic- energy of an object due to it’s motion • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vl4g7T5gw1M • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7K4V0NvUxRg • Potential- energy of position

  5. How do people get energy? • How do you get energy for your body? • How do you get energy in your house? School? Car? • What are fossil fuels?

  6. Fossil fuels

  7. Fossil Fuels • Buried combustibles from decayed plants and animals exposed to heat and pressure in the earth's crust over hundreds of millions of years. • Crude oil • coal • natural gas • Burning of fossil fuels releases large amounts of CO2 (major greenhouse gas) and contributes to global warming.

  8. Greenhouse Effect The accumulation of these gases increases the “greenhouse effect” of our atmosphere, leading to global warming.

  9. Climate Change Higher temperatures are changing our climate, melting glacier ice and raising sea levels.

  10. Glaciers Historical paintings, photographs, and other long-term records show that most mountain glaciers are melting away. People who depend on water from melting glaciers for their living needs, crops, and livestock are facing potential shortages. 1941 2004

  11. Global Sea Level Mean Sea Level Trend – Charleston, South Carolina Current Sea Level Tide gauges and satellites that measure the distance from their orbit to the ocean’s surface both show that global sea level is getting higher. Rising waters threaten ecosystems, freshwater supplies, and human developments along coasts. 3.15 mm/yr +/- 0.25 mm/yr Future Sea Level (simulated)

  12. Sea Surface Temperature Satellite sensors and thermometers on ships and buoys show that the temperature of water at the ocean’s surface is rising. Warm surface waters can damage coral reefs, reducing opportunities for fishing and tourism, and leave coasts vulnerable to storm surges and erosion.

  13. Arctic Sea Ice Satellite images show that the area covered by sea ice in the Arctic is getting smaller. While a decrease in sea ice may open new shipping routes and provide easier access to natural resources, it may also introduce concerns related to national security and invasive species. September 1979 September 2003

  14. Energy in Hawaii • Does Hawaii have fossil fuels? • Why not? • Do we have other types of energy available? • Explore data on energy sources and usage in Hawaii • http://energy.hawaii.gov/resources/dashboard-statistics

  15. Mitigation Reducing greenhouse gas emissions or removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere can lessen the severity of climate change impacts

  16. Mitigation – Reducing CO2 • Develop new habits to eliminate wasted energy • Switch to carbon-free energy sources such as solar and wind • Plant new trees to increase the amount of CO2 taken up by forests

  17. Alternative Energy Fuels that are not fossil fuels are referred to as alternative energy and include: • Solar • Wind • Hydropower • Biofuels

  18. Solar Cars and Energy Conversions • The solar panel converts electromagnetic radiation (light) from the sun into electricity, or moving electrons. • Are moving electrons potential or kinetic energy? • How much electricity is produced is related to the amount of light that the panel collects and how efficiently it can convert the light into electricity. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_car

  19. Solar Cars and Energy Conversions • The electricity produced (force) is converted to mechanical energy by the electric motor. • The motor is connected to an axle and wheel and converts mechanical energy to kinetic energy causing the car to move.

  20. Solar Cars and Energy Conversions • Energy Loss in Solar Cars • Some energy is lost with each conversion. • Connect your motor to a AA battery, it will run and slowly begin to heat up. • This heat is lost energy! • If the motor were converting the electrical energy into mechanical energy without any losses, the motor would not heat up at all. • Energy loss in real-world situations occurs. • Where? Can you name examples of energy loss around your home or school?

  21. Getting the most power output from a photovoltaic (PV) panel Increasing the amount of light striking the panel can increase the power output from the panel, e.g. – Positioning the panel towards sun Increasing solar input with reflectors

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