Solar Energy
I have chosen to investigate solar energy and how it is classified, utilized, and how it is being made more efficient and usable.
Investigation:
Image source: alternative-energy-news.info
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Solar energy is classified as a renewable resource and as an inexhaustible resource. Solar power is harnessed by solar panels that absorb the sun's rays and use electric currents to send the power to controller's. The controller's then sends the power to a battery or an inverter.
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Materials needed to build solar panels are:
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Image Source: http://www.greenrhinoenergy.com
Image source: Tesla
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There are many ways solar panels are being modified but the market of solar panels is rough because home owners want a better looking solar panel because of aesthetic appeal. An all glass solar panel, frame less, and clear are all ideas to make the panel more appealing to the eye. One idea that is trying to make the panels more efficient is a bi-facial panel so that the sunlight is absorbed by two sides of the panel instead of just one increasing the harvest by a lot. Most modifications are aesthetic because the market is geared towards private home owners trying to save money on energy bill, but people don't want an ugly piece of metal on their home. There is also solar shingles which combine a shingle with innovative solar technology to make an effective solar energy collector as well as a better home insulator. There are many more ideas in progress to but many are still being perfected.
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Conclusion:
There are many technological needs that would help improve the amount of energy that is obtained by the different means of creating energy. I believe there isn't just one need but many in the spectrum of finding the most efficient way of obtaining and keeping as much energy as we can with out losing any from the transition of it through its life cycle from raw resource to energy.
One thing that did surprise me about solar energy was how many ideas are being done to try and improve it and that just makes me wonder how many other projects there are happening on trying to improve other energy sources.
One thing that did surprise me about solar energy was how many ideas are being done to try and improve it and that just makes me wonder how many other projects there are happening on trying to improve other energy sources.