KISH>Grassroots>Electricity
Solar Power

Description

Solar energy is the gathering of the suns rays and the process of harnessing them for our own use. Solar power works by converting the rays into energy that can be used for use in the home. This process happens when a light source (usually the sun) hits the solar panel. Solar panels are made up of many solar cells, which are made up of semiconductors like silicon. The silicon is connected directly to wires which take the power to your house.

The Production of Power from Solar Energy

The first step for making solar power is to first create the solar cells. The solar cells are made up of tiny beads of silicon and wire, this is the most basic part of the solar panel.
Next, these solar cells are put together by the hundreds to create solar panels. The solar panels can then be attached to the roofs of houses or where the sun is the strongest, in space on satellites.

When you have the panels attached to your roof (assuming you don't have a satellite) you should then contact an electrician to and a plumber to install you solar electric power and solar electric heating. This is what your plan would look like without the roof.
To insure you will always have enough power to keep you through a cloudy day, you should have a back up energy source like a fossil fuel furnace or battery.

  • Advantages of Solar Power

  • Disadvantages of Solar Power

  • This method of energy is environmentally safe
  • Solar panels are expensive to build.
  • Solar panels are easily placed on almost any surface
  • If placed in too high intensity of sunlight, the solar panel may be damaged
    • In space this is the most efficient source of power
  • You need a large amount of solar panels to produce enough power for a home, let alone a city.

    • A place in Canada where solar power is produced is Climate Power in Pointe Claire, Quebec. Also Can-Com in Sudbury, Ontario produces solar power. Both of these power plants also sell and install solar power units.

    Sources
    "Solar Power Plants" available at Http://energy.sourceguides.com/businesses/byGeo/byC/Canada/byP/solar/solectric/solectric.html, Feb. 27
    "Solar Power." available at Http://www.qrg.ils.nwu.edu/projects/vss/docs/Power/1-what-are-solar-panels.html, Feb. 27
    "Solar Power." available at http://vandewater.freeyellow.com/sol_proj.html, Feb. 27
    R. Walker, John. Exploring Power Technology. South Holland Illinois: The Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc., 1981.