Chapter 31: Sunny Side

Up
Christine Bordonaro

Question 1: Why is it
beneficial to use renewable
energy sources?

Answer 1:The resources that

we have on this planet are
running out quickly therefore
sources like solar energy can
be a better long term solution

Question 2: Why does

Christine say that solar
technology represent
decentralized power
generation? What are the
advantages of this type of
power generation?

Answer 2: Solar technologies

don't require a grid so there
is no need to bother with
storing or moving the fuels,
which makes them more
efficient

Question 3: How do homes

powered by PV panels get
power at night?

Answers 3: Homes get power

at night by a battery that
stores excess electricity from
the day

Question 4: What are the

inputs and outputs of the
solar panel system that
Christine is using to
determine efficiency?

Answer 4: The input is the

sunlight and the output is
electricity

Question 5: What is
radiation?

Answer 5: Radiation is the

transfer of energy in waves or
rays, like light

Question 6: What are some

differences between how
solar panels generate
electricity and how a
generator in a coal-fired
power plant generates
electricity?

Answer 6: While solar cells

are more efficient than coalfired power plants due to a
loss of energy to motion they
are more expensive than the
traditional generators

Question 7: You have just

been hired by a marketing
company. Your job is to create
an ad that describes how
solar energy is a good choice

Answer 7: Answers
will vary.
Sample: My ad will refer to
the long-term benefits of solar
energy as a renewable energy source
as opposed to nonrenewable
resources. Thus, though there is a
high cost of installation, the
maintenance cost, longevity, and
efficiency outweigh this.