• Research Paper on:
    Solar Energy

    Number of Pages: 10

     

    Summary of the research paper:

    This 10 page paper offers an overview of solar energy beginning with the theory underlying solar power and the two major types of solar energy. The technology of solar power cells is explained, beginning with the two major categories of solar energy. The most common materials and elements used to produce photovoltaic cells, how these cells work and their output are then reported. Four of the most common types of collectors are explained. Innovations in the production of solar cells are reported. Comments are made regarding the costs and the savings gained from using solar power. Bibliography lists 14 sources.

    Name of Research Paper File: MM12_PGsolar.rtf

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    Unformatted Sample Text from the Research Paper:
    into electricity or heat in many ways" (Hilfer and Vesel, 2000). As one writer phrased it, "the sun pounds the surface of the earth with more energy than the entire  world consumes in a year--potential source of virtually unlimited, clean and free electricity" (Fairley, 2002, p. 105). The core of solar energy systems is the solar collector (National Renewable  Energy Laboratory, 2000). The collector is what absorbs the light energy from the sun and then, changes that into heat energy (National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 2000). Solar collectors heat air  or liquid and then distributes that to heat: * Indoor spaces * Water for household use (National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 2000). * Water for swimming pools (National Renewable Energy  Laboratory, 2000). * Water or air for commercial use (National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 2000). * Air to regenerate desiccant (drying) material in a desiccant cooling system (National Renewable Energy Laboratory,  2000). Solar collectors can also generate electricity (National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 2000). There are two categories of solar energy: * Passive Solar System is one where very little hardware is  used to collect and deliver solar light and heat. It is the architecture of the building that does the work, which has to do with the materials used that will  collect, retain, store and distribute solar energy. Passive systems are either incorporated into the initial deign for the building or buildings can be remodeled to accomplish the same goal. These  buildings are constructed and placed in specific directions to allow sunbeams to enter the house during the winter months but to keep out the sunbeams during the summer months. One  technique is to have all glass in the building facing south. Windows are constructed and placed in a way that allows for natural ventilation and daylight. Floor plans are more 

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