PV Gap

Samuel Said:

Help!!! I need to make a physics project regarding solar or wind ene rgy?

We Answered:

for solar energy u can make an automated solar cooker controlled by a solar celled fuzzy logic based temperature controller.

for wind energy a wind mill is a nice one

Carole Said:

Energy Utilization Theory?

We Answered:

Any windmill draws kinetic energy out of the air to turn it into electricity.

If you stick it on a plane, the energy to push the blades through the air is provided by the engines (ie the windmill causes extra drag). Energy is conserved; this is the first law of thermodynamics.

The second law of thermodynamics is that no process is 100% efficient at doing work (eg spinning the blades to make electricity), so you'd lose some energy as heat.

By attaching the windmill, you'd add drag to the plane and generate less power than it takes to overcome the drag. Your plane would be less efficient!


Solar panels are sensible though, since they don't add drag, they just utilise the energy of the photons.

Andrea Said:

Green Cooking - Any Suggestions, experience, or sources?

We Answered:

I've been using the concept of "green cooking" for at least the last 30 years! I bought a solar oven and a solar cook-top for use while camping when I was a boy scout. I have baked a mountain of biscuits and cooked a lake of stew on them both and have fried enough eggs and bacon to have completely depopulated an entire farm (grin).

As for energy conservation and efficiency, you can throw them all out the window if you will only go for solar electric on-site generation and storage. Go to the website below to get an eye full....and focus your paper on completely converting a modern house or business, even a restaurant, to solar power. Don't get confused with solar hot water heating...that is passe' and never really worked any way...Im talking about solar photovoltaic cells and pannels that produce bountiful electricity from the sun.

Point-source water heaters, electric ranges and dryers and washers....there is no end to what you can do with an all electric house and a solar array with battery backup! 100% clean power!!! And a bountiful supply as well!!!!