2 Non-renewable resources
There are several problems with the more popular choices for harnessing energy [non-renewable energy]. This section will discuss the concerns that need to be taken into consideration when deciding whether or not to use solar energy as an alternative solution to fossil fuels such as coal, petroleum, natural gas and nuclear energy for our energy consumption.
2.1 Impact on resources
Many non-renewable resources are being extracted to the point of exhaustion without any consideration to the fact that these fossil fuels may not restore themselves in this century or at all. Coal, which is thought to be the most widely available resource, is estimated to last no longer than 50 years (Morse, 2013). This could have …show more content…
The first is for the sun rays to hit the solar panels with particles of light, also known as photons. These photons then energize the photovoltaic cells, the cells inside the solar panels, to create DC electricity (Solar Works, n.d.). Next the DC electricity goes through an inverter to convert the DC to 120-volt AC (Solar Works, n.d.). AC is the type of electricity that runs through our homes. Finally, the energy that is produced goes through the home/building to be used by electronics and the excess electricity goes into the electrical grid which is the network that electricity suppliers use to deliver power into homes and building (Solar Works, n.d.). Using the grid eliminates the need for purchasing batteries to store the electricity which would have needed replacing every few years. A net energy meter is used to track the amount of electricity created from the solar system and the amount of electricity which goes into the grid (Solar Works, n.d.). Figure 2 above shows an illustration of where the electricity travels when it is …show more content…
Solar systems use photovoltaic (PV) cells to convert sunlight into electricity. The top layer of the cell is glass which is used to prevent damage from weather. Beneath the glass is an anti-reflective coating, this coating is used to maximise light absorption. Under the coating are a positive charged (p-type) and a negative charged (n-type) semiconductor layer (Mogan, 2016). When the n-type layer absorbs enough photons from the sun it causes electrons to come loose from the n-type layer and shift to the p-type layer (Mogan, 2016). The electron shifting in between the layers produces a current. An electric field is created with the build-up of negative charge in the n-type layer and a positive charge in the p-type layer (Mogan, 2016). The n-type and p-type layers are in between two contacts which allow for a path for the electricity created to
There are several problems with the more popular choices for harnessing energy [non-renewable energy]. This section will discuss the concerns that need to be taken into consideration when deciding whether or not to use solar energy as an alternative solution to fossil fuels such as coal, petroleum, natural gas and nuclear energy for our energy consumption.
2.1 Impact on resources
Many non-renewable resources are being extracted to the point of exhaustion without any consideration to the fact that these fossil fuels may not restore themselves in this century or at all. Coal, which is thought to be the most widely available resource, is estimated to last no longer than 50 years (Morse, 2013). This could have …show more content…
The first is for the sun rays to hit the solar panels with particles of light, also known as photons. These photons then energize the photovoltaic cells, the cells inside the solar panels, to create DC electricity (Solar Works, n.d.). Next the DC electricity goes through an inverter to convert the DC to 120-volt AC (Solar Works, n.d.). AC is the type of electricity that runs through our homes. Finally, the energy that is produced goes through the home/building to be used by electronics and the excess electricity goes into the electrical grid which is the network that electricity suppliers use to deliver power into homes and building (Solar Works, n.d.). Using the grid eliminates the need for purchasing batteries to store the electricity which would have needed replacing every few years. A net energy meter is used to track the amount of electricity created from the solar system and the amount of electricity which goes into the grid (Solar Works, n.d.). Figure 2 above shows an illustration of where the electricity travels when it is …show more content…
Solar systems use photovoltaic (PV) cells to convert sunlight into electricity. The top layer of the cell is glass which is used to prevent damage from weather. Beneath the glass is an anti-reflective coating, this coating is used to maximise light absorption. Under the coating are a positive charged (p-type) and a negative charged (n-type) semiconductor layer (Mogan, 2016). When the n-type layer absorbs enough photons from the sun it causes electrons to come loose from the n-type layer and shift to the p-type layer (Mogan, 2016). The electron shifting in between the layers produces a current. An electric field is created with the build-up of negative charge in the n-type layer and a positive charge in the p-type layer (Mogan, 2016). The n-type and p-type layers are in between two contacts which allow for a path for the electricity created to