The Physics Of Solar Energy - 998 Words

Solar energy dates back to 1839 with a French physicist by the name of Alexandre-Edmond Becquerel. His experiment of ‘illuminating two electrodes with different types of light† marked the birth of solar energy. Years later, William Grylls Adams, along with student assistant Richard Evans Day, discovered that converting solar energy into electrical energy is possible without the need of heat nor moving parts. Unfortunately, their panel couldn’t create enough power to run any electrical equipment. Three men - Calvin fuller, Daryl Chapin, and Gerald Pearson - continued solar study in 1959 and influenced a new era with their discovery of the silicon solar cell which had capabilities of powering small devices. Three years later, solar cells became available for sale, though the price cost an arm and leg at $300 per watt. On the bright side, novelties such as toys and radios were powered by solar panels. Fast forward a few year and satellites also began running on solar power as if it were a standard. A discovery by Exxon allowed solar to be available at an inexpensive price in the early 70’s, dropping from $100/watt to an estimated $20/watt. In addition, oil-rigs used solar energy to power the lights on rigs. Within the following two decades, solar panels were ‘used in their microwave towers to expand their telecommunication† in Australia. Desert areas also looked to solar energy as a source to water soil, since line-fed power wasn’t an option. Solar energy isn’t the leadingShow MoreRelatedPurpose For A Career In Engineering1025 Words   |  5 Pagesis right about his perspective, then renewable energy particularly solar and wind powers are among the chief contenders to solve global energy predicament and concurrently advance our energy generation to the next level. To contribute towards acceleration of this transition to humanity is the primary guiding rationality behind my desire to pursue higher education in en gineering. In high school, deeply intrigued by mechanisms and experiments in physics, I frequently took part in the State Science ExhibitionsRead MorePersonal Statement Of Application For Nannomaterials834 Words   |  4 Pagestoday’s world, especially in dye-sensitized solar cells, I joined the Department of Chemistry to do research on nanotechnology while preparing to take a Master’s degree in Physics from the same university with a solid foundation in materials science, basic electronics, advanced device electronics, quantum physics, and computational physics. According to the International Energy Agency’s 2015 World Energy Outlook, a complete de-carbonization of the world’s energy system is needed for a sustainable developmentRead MoreCan You Bake Cookies Only Using Sunlight?1007 Words   |  5 Pagessome delicious cookies. What Study of Science is this under? The study of science is Physics. Physics means the natural science which involves the study of things made up atoms or matter, and along with related concepts such as energy and force. The experiment is Physics because we are using heat from the sun, and transferring the heat to the oven. So heat or thermal energy is the measure of the amount of energy that is contained in a material. Heat depends on how much of the material, which wouldRead MoreHow Astrophysics Is The Branch Of Astronomy1152 Words   |  5 PagesAstrophysics is the branch of astronomy that employs the principles of physics and chemistry to ascertain the nature of the heavenly bodies, rather than their positions or motions in space. A few of the objects studied are the Sun, other stars, galaxies, extrasolar planets, the interstellar medium and the cosmic microwave background. The study of our very own Sun has a special place in observational astrophysics. Due to the tremendous distance of all other stars, the Sun can be observed in a kindRead MoreThe Need to Renewable Sources of Energy1644 Words   |  7 Pages1.1 INTRODUCTION Energy is vital for human survival and development. Most of today’s energy comes fossil fuels and Biomass. However these types of fuels are deplitable and emit green house gases e.g. CO2which leads to global warming. (See Fig 1.1).On the other hand, renewable energy is inexhaustible and does not any produce green house gases that can pollute the environment. Therefore there is need to shift to renewable sources of energy. Figure 1.1: A graph showing energy consumption and developmentRead MoreSolar Energy Is The Best Type Of Energy1651 Words   |  7 PagesWhen you close your eyes and think of solar energy, what do you see? Your response is most likely something positive such as an innovative, efficient, and renewable step forward into the future. Solar is also thought of to be the best type of energy because the sun will never go away. Well, solar energy will have to battle it out with natural gas and oil in the near future. â€Å"As the price of oil and natural gas continues to drop, solar energy looks less desirable as other sources become more affordableRead MoreSylvia Gregorio Case Srtudy1278 Words   |  6 PagesAnalyst at the Center for Energy Research and Development since March 1982. It is a division of the Philippine Energy Company tasked with the Research and Development activities on renewable energy resources. The division was divided into three departments: the Non Conventional Fuels D epartment (NFD), the Conventional Fuel Department (CFD), and the Program Management and Evaluation Department (PMED). Sylvia was assigned at the Solar Section of the NFD which conducts studies on solar thermal conversion systemsRead MoreThe Power of Green Technology Essay1140 Words   |  5 Pagesmethods of accomplishing everyday tasks on residential, commercial, and industrial levels. The green energy technologies that are shaping tomorrow are the concepts of various green energies, dynamic green buildings, and the breakthroughs in nanotechnology. There have been countless forms of green renewable energy advancements in the last decade, ranging from biomass energy to geothermal energy. Through biomass research, technologies have been developed to convert biomass—pant matter such as treesRead MoreA Report On Mass Transport Systems Essay985 Words   |  4 Pagescause of global warming. In 2013, CO2 accounted for about 82% of all U.S. greenhouse gas emissions from human activities,2 while 72% of the total CO2 emissions are from highway vehicles and over 50% are from cars and light trucks.3There are 28% of energy used for transportation in the U.S..4 More efforts should be put to reduce the transportation dependency on fossil fuel. In the meantime, biofuel and hydrogen are the alternatives to the fossil oil. Alternative types of vehicle is also invented, suchRead MoreNuclear Power Is The Best Source Of Power Essay1730 Words   |  7 Pagespart of today’s society involves energy of some sorts. But as our society progresses, the need for better, more efficient power sources must be addressed. Out of all of the choices, the most popular to date is nuclear power. Nuclear power is a growing industry that is getting mixed reviews from various sources. But which side is right? Is nuclear power the future? Or is it just another problem the world will have to deal with? The answer is simple. Nuclear Energy is the future and will power