Dear, Mr. Gary Peters, and Mrs. Debbie Stabenow: Mankind’s need for energy has been in place since the beginning of time. Over time, innovators have found different sources for energy. Around the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, oil, coal, and other fossil fuels integrated into everyday culture. People used every resource possible to fuel their businesses and homes with little thought towards the environment. Over the years, researchers discovered the dangers and limits of fossil fuels to the environment. During the 1980’s, early forms of development for alternative energy began to arise in the United States; shortly after, Europe began their development in the early 1990’s. Of those development’s, solar power and wind power have
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The first use of the sun’s rays was recorded in seventh century B.C. where magnifying glasses were used to create fire by concentrating the rays towards the fuel source for fire. In early B.C., solar rays were only used for religious purposes and early agricultural. The first form of solar power was discovered in 1767 when a “Swiss scientist created the fist solar collector.” (The History of Solar) Since then, there has been many advances towards solar energy in technology such as: solar powered steam engines, the bolometer, solar water heaters, and many other inventions. The basis of modern solar power was established in 1954 with the creation of Photovoltaic technology. Photovoltaic technology is currently growing at a phenomenal rate; since 2000, the growth rate of photovoltaic technology averaged at a 43 percent growth rate per year. The development of photovoltaic technology divides into three main classes: wafer based cells, commercial thin-film cells, and emerging thin-film cells. Currently, wafer based cells dominate the market, but are very costly. So, advancements in nanotechnology are hopeful in “creating thinner films with higher conversion efficiencies” to reduce the cost of solar technology. (Sood) With a push towards research in solar power technology potentially creates a wave for “the solar age.” …show more content…
Nanotechnology claims to that energy usage will be reduced while also improving energy storage, generation and conservation. In reality, nanotechnology is highly energy-intensive and there are doubts that the claim will not save energy. Also, there is not enough research to be able to claim that nanotechnology will be able to provide any environmental benefits. Claims are stating that nanotechnology will cause more toxicity issues towards humans and also water treatments. To end these claims, intensive research would be able to provide answers as to better ways for nanotechnology to work without any harm to the environment and energy
The first use of the sun’s rays was recorded in seventh century B.C. where magnifying glasses were used to create fire by concentrating the rays towards the fuel source for fire. In early B.C., solar rays were only used for religious purposes and early agricultural. The first form of solar power was discovered in 1767 when a “Swiss scientist created the fist solar collector.” (The History of Solar) Since then, there has been many advances towards solar energy in technology such as: solar powered steam engines, the bolometer, solar water heaters, and many other inventions. The basis of modern solar power was established in 1954 with the creation of Photovoltaic technology. Photovoltaic technology is currently growing at a phenomenal rate; since 2000, the growth rate of photovoltaic technology averaged at a 43 percent growth rate per year. The development of photovoltaic technology divides into three main classes: wafer based cells, commercial thin-film cells, and emerging thin-film cells. Currently, wafer based cells dominate the market, but are very costly. So, advancements in nanotechnology are hopeful in “creating thinner films with higher conversion efficiencies” to reduce the cost of solar technology. (Sood) With a push towards research in solar power technology potentially creates a wave for “the solar age.” …show more content…
Nanotechnology claims to that energy usage will be reduced while also improving energy storage, generation and conservation. In reality, nanotechnology is highly energy-intensive and there are doubts that the claim will not save energy. Also, there is not enough research to be able to claim that nanotechnology will be able to provide any environmental benefits. Claims are stating that nanotechnology will cause more toxicity issues towards humans and also water treatments. To end these claims, intensive research would be able to provide answers as to better ways for nanotechnology to work without any harm to the environment and energy