PV Gap

Gina Said:

what is solar energy???

We Answered:

The sun has produced energy for billions of years. Solar energy is the solar radiation that reaches the earth.

Solar energy can be converted directly or indirectly into other forms of energy, such as heat and electricity. The major drawbacks (problems, or issues to overcome) of solar energy are: (1) the intermittent and variable manner in which it arrives at the earth's surface and, (2) the large area required to collect it at a useful rate.

Solar energy is used for heating water for domestic use, space heating of buildings, drying agricultural products, and generating electrical energy.

In the 1830s, the British astronomer John Herschel used a solar collector box to cook food during an expedition to Africa. Now, people are trying to use the sun's energy for lots of things.

Electric utilities are trying photovoltaics, a process by which solar energy is converted directly to electricity. Electricity can be produced directly from solar energy using photovoltaic devices or indirectly from steam generators using solar thermal collectors to heat a working fluid.

Out of the 14 known solar electric generating units operating in the US at the end of 2004, 10 of these are in California, and 4 in Arizona. No statistics are being collected on solar plants that produce less than 1 megawatt of electricity, so there may be smaller solar plants in a number of other states.

Erika Said:

What does your school do to save energy?

We Answered:

recylce all 1, 2, & 3 numbered plastics ( check ur city recycle center 4 guidelines); recycle plastic, aluminum, and glass; have staff, students and surrounding neighbors use the school to recycle their unwanted junk mail, magazines, cafe milk cartons, old homework, and copy paper (after using both sides of course).

compost all cafeteria food to cut ur waste in half! get the students to pick fruits at lunch (instead of huny buns) to maximize ur composting..... in addition less processed foods cut down on ur carbon footprint.

eat local produce 2 cut down on ur carbon footprint that occurs during transport.

drink water from the fountain or delivered spring water (it's like buying in bulk to reduce on packaging)

use non toxic paint (expensive) for repairs and improvements---p.s. some colorants added in the non-toxic paint base is toxic so read carefully I found out the hard way!

purchase eco friendly office and school supplies like recycled paper, envelopes, and notebooks, and i've even seen eco-friendly glue.

and lastly, the most energy efficient lightbulbs are LED and they light up quickly (don't need to warm up) and last longer, but they are also quiet expensive and u may not b able to replace all ur bulbs with them. just remember with CFLs they contain small amounts of mercury so they must b recycled or that will get into our soil and drinking water. if the bulbs break clear out immediately, carefully clean the spill while wearing a face mask and gloves and double bag to dispose. if someone says it's not that deep jus let em know that's why they took mercury thermometers off the market. they were the most accurate, but the most toxic.

GOOD LUCK!!!