Solar and Wind

Power

The Future of Clean Energy

The Problem with Non

Renewable Energy Sources
Examples of non renewable energy
sources: coal, fossil fuels, etc
They will run out eventually
Bad for the environment
Negative health effects

What is
Solar
A renewable energy source
Power?
The conversion of solar
power from the sun into
heat or electricity
Uses solar panels
There are three main
methods of obtaining solar
power
Best suited for areas
where there is low cloud
cover that will block out the
sunlight

How Does it Work?

Method s of Using Solar

Energy

Photovoltaic cells
Consists of semi-conductors
As light hits the surface, energy is produced
Solar Thermal Electricity
A mirror is used to reflect the sunlight to a
central receiver
A fluid is circulated that drives a generator
The generator produces electricity
Solar Thermal Heater
Solar panels on roof absorbs sunlight
Sunlight is converted into energy that heats
the house

Advantages
Renewable
Produces no pollution
or waste
If the area is sunny,
solar energy can be
used in remote areas
where no other energy
source is available
Require very little
maintenance
Although expensive in
the beginning, you will
save a lot money in the
long-term

Disadvantages
Doesn't work at night
Solar cells/panels can be very
expensive
Can be unreliable unless you're in a
very sunny climate. For example, it
wouldnt be very effective in the United
Kingdom
Solar power isn't much use for highpower applications. It may just be
enough to heat your house. To obtain
decent amounts of solar power, you
need a large area of solar panels.

The Effects of Solar Power

on the. . .

Atmosphere: No release of pollutants

Lithosphere: No effect because solar
panels are usually just installed on preexisting buildings
Hydrosphere: No effect
Biosphere: Light is reflected off the
panels. This light can distract birds and
even airplane pilots. This can be
dangerous.

Example of Solar Power

around the World

Argentina
Solar power is being used
to improve the lives of
villagers in a small
community in Argentina
The EcoAndina
Foundation introduced
solar powered stoves to
the villagers so that they
could cook food easily
Before the solar power
cooking stoves were
available, the villagers had
to use fire wood
Since Argentina receives
a good amount of sun, it
definitely comes in handy

India
Currently, India relies on
coal to provide power
The goal of the plan is to
have 20 gigawatts of
solar energy by the year
2022.
The entire project is
estimated to cost about
$20 billion.

Switzerland

Solar Impulse Plane

The wings hold 11,628
solar cells.
The propellers are
powered by four 100
kilogram lithium
batteries.
The goal is to make
the plane fly for 36
continuous hours

Solar Energy Power Plants

Solar Power

Wind Power

What is Wind Power?

It is a renewable energy
source
The use of the wind to
produce electricity
Wind energy is the fastest
growing energy source on
earth
The rate at which technology
is improving is making wind
power more and more
appealing
Most effective in areas that
receive a decent amount of

How Does it Work?

Advantages
The wind is free
Does not cause green house gases or other
pollutants.
Although wind turbines can be very tall, they only
take up a small plot of land. Therefore, the land
below can still be used (example: for agriculture)
Wind farms are appealing to the landscape.
Remote areas that have no other energy source
available can use wind turbines to produce their
own supply.

Disadvantages
The amount of wind available always
varies. There will be times when they
produce no electricity at all.
Wind turbines can be noisy. It can be
equivalent to the noise of a car
traveling at 70 mph.
Because wind turbines have to be
anchored to the ground this could
possibly impact soil structure.
They do not produce enough
electricity to power large amounts of
homes.
Birds and bats are threatened
because they can get caught in the
turbines.

The Effects of Wind Power

on the. . .
Atmosphere: No release of pollutants
Lithosphere: The anchorage on the
ground may affect the soil structure
Hydrosphere: No effect
Biosphere: Birds/bats get caught in
the wind turbines. This could threaten
the population of the birds.

Examples of Wind Power

Around the World

Malawi
William Kamkwamba decided
to build several wind mills in
his small village
Using anything he could find
in the junkyard, he was able
to build five windmills, the
biggest being about 37 feet
tall
The windmills provide
electricity and pump water in
the small village

Vancouver

Wind turbine built

on Grouse Mountain
Will provide the
mountain with up to
25% of its power
The windmill will
attract lots of
tourists, which will
create revenue for
the mountain

The Good and Bad of Wind

Power
Wind Power

Conclusion

Investing in renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power is very
important
Solar and wind power provide clean energy
Both methods come with advantages and disadvantages
Hopefully, with rapidly growing technology, these two power sources will
become used all over the world and replace non renewable sources

The End

Bibliography

http://www.aboutmyplanet.com/alternative-energy/solar/india-to-increase-solarpower-capacity/ http://www.aboutmyplanet.com/alternative-energy/solar/solarimpulse-plane-tested/
http://www.whywind.org/pb/wp_643568b8/wp_643568b8.html
http://windpowerbuzz.net/the-advantages-of-wind-power-generation
http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/coalvswind
http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/africa/10/05/malawi.wind.boy/index.html
http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/coalvswind/
http://blogs.journalism.cuny.edu/nycondeadline/tag/green/
http://www.aweo.org/ProblemWithWind.html
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfSaJW6m680