Solar Energy and the Energy Crisis Essays -- Energy Power Global Warmi

Solar Energy and the Energy CrisisAbstractThe energy crisis is a major problem in the get together States. Solar energy give the gate help alleviatethis problem. Enough solar panels to fulfill the energy needs of the entire United Stateswould take up 27,347 km2 and approach almost 17 trillion dollars. Therefore, although there isenough space for all those solar panels, the economic cost is far too great. However,solar magnate can be phased in gradually.Solar Energy 3Solar Energy Can It Solve the Energy Crisis?The worlds supply of fossil fuels is dwindling. The amount of power generated fromrenewable energy sources needs to be increased, as there is little chance of power consumptiondecreasing. Solar power is a relatively untapped power source which could contribute to solving theenergy crisis. Solar power plants can operate as long as the sun continues to give off lightsomeness and heat,and it will continue to do so for billions of years. However, solar power plants cannot be th e onlypower source, for they do not operate at peak susceptibility at night or when the sun is obscured by densecloud cover.Solar power accounted for only 0.064%of US energy consumption in 2003, termfossil fuels accounted for 85.973%. Also, solarpower production in the United States has beendecreasing since 1996 (see Figure 1) (AnnualEnergy Review, 2003).The most common way to convert solar shaft of light into electricity is the use of photovoltaic cells,also called solar cells. These cells are grouped together in solar panels. Solar cells are made of thinwafers of te (Si) with a few other elements added. The efficiency of these cells is around 12%, sothat a panel with an area of one square meter placed in direct sunlight will generate ... ... new plants are required or to replace old, barely-workingpower plants. Also, more investigation should be done into choice ways of gathering solar energy(such as satellites and power towers).Solar Energy 5ReferencesParfit, M. (2005). Futu re power. National Geographic, 208(2), 2-31.Annual Energy Review. (2003). Retrieved fearful 01, 2005, fromhttp//www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/aer/.Solarbuzz. (n.d.). Retrieved August 02, 2005, from http//www.solarbuzz.com/.Solar Cell. (July 20, 2005). Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved August 01, 2005,from http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_Cell.Solar Energy. (n.d.). Retrieved August 01, 2005, fromhttp//www.energyquest.ca.gov/story/chapter15.html.United States. (July 28, 2005). CIA - The World Factbook. Retrieved August 02, 2005, fromhttp//www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/us.html.