PV Gap

Frank Said:

Advancements in Solar Energy/ Power?

We Answered:

The latest news in solar panels is always how efficient they have become in the lab. Currently about 41% efficiency has been achieved. But you can only buy panels that are about 8 to 22% efficient.

Solar thermal panels are used to run stirling engines, heat your hot water, radiant heating systems and for air conditioning. Reducing the demands on your electricity can be even better than producing the electricity because you can buy panels that are from 60 to 80% efficient.

The electric car is on the verge of becoming common in the marketplace. The takeover would be assured if an energy storage system is developed that had a power density/weight around 1/5th that of gasoline. Because an electric vehicle is about 5 times as efficient as a gasoline vehicle.

As we explode into many different alternative energy sources dependability is a common issue. Tremendous potential is there but to smooth out the delivery an energy storage system would be very helpful. Here weight is not as important as cost.

For the latest advancements search in these areas.

Emily Said:

What pollution comes from the use of Solar Energy/Power?

We Answered:

Solar power is by far the most polluting of the "renewable" energy sources. This is looking at a whole life time perspective. The solar panels when they are operational do not give off any pollution but the plastics and other things that go into making the panels themselves cause alot of pollution.

I have read papers that did a lifecycle analysis of solar, wind, hydro, "clean" coal and oil and surprisingly solar power when you take into account how little energy the panels produce is almost as polluting as a coal fire power plant if your producing the same amount of energy.

Hope that helps

Erin Said:

How is Solar Energy Obtained? And How is it released at power stations?

We Answered:

it is obtained by putting active or passive solar collection devices in the sun, they have to be angled to get the best advantage of the light. I dont know how its released, it is efficient where there is a lot of sun, Its not really as widely used as it should be but i think the technology is getting better and the oil prices are getting out of hand, soon there will be wider usage .

Courtney Said:

It is possible to harness power from solar energy, to orbit big solar collector, how to collect user on earth.

We Answered:

They actually considered this like 20 -25 years ago.
The problem is getting it back to Earth.
If we focus the light beam or use micro waves and send it to collectors;We'll have to be dead on with our aim.
Can you imagine what would happen if something went wrong and sent a beam through a major city?
You would also have to create large no fly zones to keep planes from flying through them.
Maybe We could use the energy to fuse Nitrogen and hydrogen into ammonia.
Then We could separate them back here on Earth and extract the heat.
Of course that would create a problem also.
What if We had another challenger or Columbia accident while they were loaded with ammonia