Solar Power Technology

I used a solar power calculator on SharpUSA. And found that ,000 worth of solar cells would save only 0 per year in costs. Is it possible to sell these kinds of new technologies? That would take 35 years to payback. With the economy about to break, how can we make the change, with 35 years payback? Man this isnt gonna work.

1. Solar energy is not cost effective due to the cost of equipment and the cost fossil fuels needed to create solar energy cells in the first place. If you were to install solar panel on an average home in Phoenix AZ and you calculated the cost + fossil fuels used in creating the solar equipment it would take from 5-8 years to show a profit. Other cities that get less sun than the desert would take even longer and the cost would go up as you also calculate Maintenance dollars.

2. In order to generate enough energy to effectively curb our need for fossil fuels would not be economically prudent or reliable with the given solar technology as we know it today.

3.Hydrogen fueled cars and and big trucks is the main target of defeating the need for foreign oil. Solar energy will never be able to generate enough energy to supply hydrogen refueling stations.

To most people, the words Solar Power Technology would be a vague recollection of Astronomy 101 or perhaps one of those terms that they picked up from one of these sci-fi flicks that we seem to be bombarded with these days.

Yes, it could be anything but knowing how this term is related to ‘solar energy’ and its advantages ever since the Israelis built the first prototype and made it mandatory in every house in Israel since the year 1980.

Ironically, what began as a race to save the planet from the evils of industrialization, has turned into a franchise itself. Yes, you can purchase a solar energy generating system for ten times its actual cost from organizations who will be more than happy to do the thinking for you.

And why do people call the task of creating a ‘solar energy system’ a DIY task? Well, it requires that much of your time, energy and intelligence for a fraction of the cost that it would take for you to install one of these systems in your home.

Now, depending on how much energy you require for your home, manufacturers can (and will) charge you anywhere between $16,000 to about $40,000 for setting up one of these babies at your place of residence, with the minimum investment covering some of your energy needs while the maximum amount allowing you to sustain your daily living purely by using solar energy.

Well, if you have the money, knock yourself out but if you can build one of these systems in a short period of time while spending only 20% of the costs stated above, then why not explore the DIY option and learn about solar power technology? After all, money saved is money earn, isn’t it?

What is heartening to know is that the concept is simple and you can find a variety of methods to pick from, in building one of these home solar systems.

All you need to do is follow step-by-step instructions to assemble and use one of these units yourself. You’ll still get your tax rebate and see your property value also increase as well, while investing barely anything at all.

Now, as mentioned earlier, there are several methods to build one of these units, and you can find information on the internet as well as offline, so it’s a smart idea to study various methods much like you would look around for a product before actually buying anything.

Normally, these methods would vary depending on whether you would like an active or passive solar heating method, which is obviously used for different purposes.

With efforts in research and development of solar power technology showing results, the costs of ‘components’ that are used in building a solar system for your own home are also rapidly reducing.

So your job really is all about putting the pieces of the puzzle together (most importantly, knowing how to connect the electrode wires) after which one can sit back and enjoy the benefits of a solar system that sets you free from utility bills and the hassles that come with rising costs for a long time to come.

I used to think it was BS, but then i heard that the reason the Mayans predicted this date was because they saw a galactic cycle we are in, where every 26000 years we get as close as we ever get to the massive black hole in the center our galaxy (i have no idea how they knew this, but they made other shocking discoveries about the cosmos with their limited technology), and i heard a couple of scientist confirm this cycle. And what this will do is it will cause a gravitational change, which will cause the planets to align. And this gravitational change will cause the tides to go crazy, fault lines to go haywire, volcanoes to erupt (including the super volcanoes), massive solar flares from the sun, and this would upset everything. Think about it, the western US covered in ash, almost every major city is on a fault line, the solar flares would cause a massive EMP for half the world (probably the entire world, because this gravitational change is suppose to last for 2-5 days), and that would wipe out the internet (so all transportation is gone, so food is gone, and we are 9 meals away from anarchy at any given time). And obviously all of this would cause the major change in humanity that the Mayans said would happen. A new chapter in humanity. So, my question is, have you heard this theory before? What do you think of it?

Hi guys,

I’m a sort of a newbie in solar cell and researching on the topic on solar cell technology.. I’ve read some wiki sites and google it but the explanation seems too hard for me to digest.. Can someone help me answer the following? Thanks

1) Identify the majority and minority carriers in p-type silicon with n-type silicon solar cell?

2) Explain the term diffusion and drift current?

3) List and explain two reasons why photovoltaic cell has low efficiency?

Thanks for replying!

So, The Universe is estimated to be 13 billion years old possibly…(unless your christian ig, then the universe is like much younger.). and, through looking into space, we have possible discovered 1 or 2 more planets or so that through a telescope look similar to earth, and so the likely hood of another planet capable of sustaining life seems to be positive. So, currently evidence seems to support the idea of life on other planets. Which in a universe as massive as ours seems logical. we have trillions of stars in our universe many with planets orbiting. (so, if your against the idea of life on other planets this question is not for you.) so yea i was thinking….

Since, the universe has possibly existed for many years….so, narrowing it to our galaxy and its 9 or 8 planets (depending on how you feel towards the status of Pluto)… im wondering.

could it be possible that life could of existed within our galaxy? before or maybe even during the existence span of the human race? Like i know since forever humans and scientist have had a facination with Mars. and ever since we’ve had the technology we’ve sent many things to Mars to explore it. we even have a Manned mission to Mars in the early planning periods. this will take awhile i mean not even getting into space happened overnight it took many years of planning and innovations. but, yea through our satelites, probes, and robots we’ve sent there we found possible evidence of water once existing there and micro organisms.

so, maybe, Mars was once like earth, capable of sustaining life, maybe an intelligient life once existed on the planet. we just haven’t found it, due to many factors, such as Mars kinda has a violent atmosphere, terrible winds. and what if mars is this way because what once lived on mars did something that destroyed the atmosphere or used up its resources…or a terrible war broke out?

now moving away from Mars, what if throughout the ages, other planets arounds had life come an go. like what if at one point Venus’s atmosphere wasn’t as acidic? or maybe one of the moons had a colony or civilations? i mean if we exist then who can really say life didn’t exist before us, or after us even within our own galaxy, hell we could of over looks something and maybe theres still some one there. maybe not entire civilizations, but, small pockets of things that we failed to detect? …second nowadays people think they know everything…but, what if science is wrong and other organisms don’t need to be in the same conditions as us to live. i mean science gets proven and disproven all the time.

Plus, theres possible, but debatable evidence that throughout history aliens have been flying through our skies, and some even interacting….maybe this is all bs….cause my god im sure ancient civilazations don’t know anything, along with people currently living. but, as i said all this is questionable, but, maybe another civilization did visit us? maybe they ended up destroying themselves which could explain why their not there now…but, who knows maybe someones still out there maybe i shyer race, maybe humanesque or somethingesque. i mean amino acids (the building blocks of life) have been found in space and objects fallen from space…meteors and such. and some debate this is how life was brought to earth so maybe life was taken else where..maybe even a planet closer than we may think….it just didn’t last as long or maybe it lasted longer, just some catastrophic event ended their existence.

So yea, what are your thoughts on other life forms existing in out solar system? or maybe life that has come or gone in our solar system? i mean is it insane for a person to think like this?

Let’s assume that there is intelligent life elsewhere in the universe, far far more intelligent than us – is it a question IF or WHEN will they visit us? I know that one could say "Well, the universe is so vast that the chances of them visiting this one planet in our one solar system is very improbable", but what if they too are looking for planets capable of life, and with their assumed advanced technology, planet Earth came up on their radar? Will they act like foreigners passing through Los Angeles and skip the small uncivilized "ghetto" planets?

There are a lot of questions and answersabout how technology has impacted society,
but I can’t seem to find anything about how SOCIETY has/is affected/affecting TECHNOLOGY?

e.g. how has society impacted the technology of solar panels? if thats possible.

please please please help me out! thank you in advance

1. Who showed that our universe is heliocentricthe planets of the solar system revolve around the sun?
(Points : 1)
Nicolaus Copernicus

Galileo Galilei

Johannes Kepler

Isaac Newton

2. Who developed the laws of gravitation and motion?
(Points : 1)
Nicolaus Copernicus

Isaac Newton

Francis Bacon

René Descartes

3. Who was often called the father of modern mathematics because he created analytic geometry and the Cartesian coordinate system?
(Points : 1)
Francis Bacon

René Descartes

Nicolaus Copernicus

Galileo Galilei

4. Who first asserted that scientists should conduct repeated observations and practical experiments to answer specific questions?
(Points : 1)
René Descartes

Johannes Gutenberg

Francis Bacon

Isaac Newton

5. Which was an accomplishment of Galileo Galilei?
(Points : 1)
developing a theory of gravity

finding elliptical galaxies

identifying continental drift

discovering four moons orbiting Jupiter

6. How did people’s general way of thinking change as a result of the Scientific Revolution?
(Points : 1)
People questioned long-accepted views.

Evidence became less important to people.

Scientists became less interested in technology.

Scientists were discouraged from using experiments.

7. What was the Enlightenment?
(Points : 1)
an intellectual movement based on reason

the time when Europe learned about Christianity

the public cry for universal education

a period of European history devoted to exploring religion

8. Who wrote about the importance of basing government on the general will?
(Points : 1)
Mary Wollstonecraft

Baron de Montesquieu

Voltaire

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

9. Which Enlightenment thinker explained in his Two Treatises of Government that all beings have the same natural rights of life, liberty, and property?
(Points : 1)
Thomas Hobbes

Baron de Montesquieu

John Locke

Voltaire

10. Which was a belief of Voltaire?
(Points : 1)
Life is short, nasty, and "brutish."

The best form of government is a republic.

Huguenots should become Catholic.

Kings should be guided by reason.

11. Which did Montesquieu influence?
(Points : 1)
Two Treatises of Government

U.S. Constitution

the theory of universal gravitation

the laws of motion

12. Which was an idea or belief of the Enlightenment thinker Mary Wollstonecraft?
(Points : 1)
Women should be seen and not heard.

The education of women should prepare them to be supportive wives and caring mothers.

Women should have the same opportunities for education as men.

Women should be encouraged to stay home and take care of their families.

13. Why did the colonists object to paying new taxes on goods such as sugar, paper, and tea?
(Points : 1)
They were being taxed without any representation in the British Parliament.

The taxes were too high and most colonists could not pay them.

The colonists believed that they should not have to help pay Britain’s debts.

The colonists believed the money collected should fund their local governments.

14. Thomas Jefferson based his argument for unalienable rights on the work of ____________.
(Points : 1)
John Locke

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Baron de Montesquieu

Voltaire

15. Why was the Battle of Saratoga a major turning point during the American Revolution?
(Points : 1)
The battle ended the activity of British troops in the west.

The battle eliminated the Native American threat.

The battle convinced the French to help the colonies.

The battle destroyed the British navy.

YES I AM ASKING FOR HELP THIS TEST IS DO TODAY HAD TO GO TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL FOR MY GRANDMA AN DID NOT STUDY LIKE I SHOULD HAVE….PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE NEGATIVE FEED BACK THANKY FOR THE HELP

]Which of the following best describes the changes involved in a fusion reaction?

The nucleus of an atom splits into fragments, releasing a large amount of energy.

The nucleus of an atom splits into fragments, absorbing a large amount of energy.

The nuclei of two small atoms combine to form one larger nucleus, releasing a large amount of energy.

The nuclei of two small atoms combine to form one larger nucleus, absorbing a large amount of energy.

Question 2 (Multiple Choice Worth 1 points)

[08.02]Which of the following best describes a fission reaction involving lithium?

Two lithium atoms form bonds with each other, absorbing a large amount of energy.

The nuclei of lithium atoms join together to form heavier isotopes, and energy is released.

An atom of lithium absorbs electrons, undergoes an increase in energy level, and splits into fragments.

The nucleus of an atom of lithium splits, resulting in smaller fragments and the release of a large amount of energy.

Question 3 (Multiple Choice Worth 1 points)

[08.02]Nuclear power plants produce a great amount of energy using fission reactors. However, there are safety risks. Which of the following risks are related to using nuclear power plants?

storage and disposal of radioactive waste

production of radioactive atmospheric pollutants

improper handling of volatile radioactive chemicals

lack of adequate space to carry out reactions involving radioactive materials

Question 4 (Multiple Choice Worth 1 points)

[08.03]Which of the following natural resources does not contribute to global warming or air pollution?

coal

natural gas

nuclear power

oil

Question 5 (Multiple Choice Worth 1 points)

[08.03]Which of the following statements about natural resources is correct?

Oil is more difficult to remove from the Earth than coal.

Coal is present in small quantities compared to other fossil fuels.

Natural gas has a limited supply and an uneven worldwide distribution.

Nuclear power produces small amounts of energy from extremely large masses of fuel.

Question 6 (Multiple Choice Worth 1 points)

[08.03]Which of the following natural resources is considered non-renewable?

hydro-electric power

natural gas

solar power

wind power

Question 7 (Multiple Choice Worth 1 points)

[08.03]Heat from the Earth’s core and pressure on the remains of dead plants and animals create which of the following resources?

biofuel and hydro-electric

natural gas and coal

nuclear power and geothermal

geothermal power and biofuel

Question 8 (Multiple Choice Worth 1 points)

[08.04]Which of the following is the most important challenge in the protection of our environment?

Getting society to care about environmental issues.

Repairing long term damage done to the environment.

Cleaning up after a major polluting event, like an oil spill.

Meeting society’s needs while being responsible with natural resources.

Question 9 (Multiple Choice Worth 1 points)

[08.04]Groundwater contains twenty percent of the world’s fresh water supply. Which of the following is not a human contaminant that pollutes groundwater?

chlorofluorocarbons

leaking septic systems

fertilizers

pesticides

Question 10 (Multiple Choice Worth 1 points)

[08.04]What is the major advantage of using compact fluorescent light bulbs compared to incandescent bulbs?

Fluorescent bulbs are less expensive to manufacture.

Fluorescent bulbs are synthetic and use no natural resources.

Fluorescent bulbs are less specific and will run on different voltages.

Fluorescent bulbs produce the same amount of light using less energy.

Question 11 (Multiple Choice Worth 1 points)

[08.04]Some technologies are now available to solve the problem of acid rain, which can alter the pH level of lakes and rivers. Which of the following is the best technology to improve a lake affected by acid rain?

new alternative energy sources

recycling of materials to reduce air pollution

an environmentally safe base to neutralize the lake

transportation equipment to move all aquatic life to safety

Question 12 (Multiple Choice Worth 1 points)

[08.04]What is the name of the greenhouse gas generated by the decaying organic waste in landfills?

argon

carbon monoxide

methane

ozone

Question 13 (Multiple Choice Worth 1 points)

[08.04]Which of the following is the best explanation as to why a combination of renewable energy resources will be necessary to replace fossil fuels?

Alternative energy sources have higher than average operating costs.

Electricity generated by alternative fuels has a very low electrical current.

Society is skeptical on some of the alternative energy sources so a variety is necessary.

One alternative source is unable to meet the demand because of each source’s limitations.

One of the problems with solar/wind energy is that there is no easy way to store the energy produced. This means expensive, environment-destroying transmission lines have to be built from a solar / wind farm to the destination where the energy will ultimately be used. The opposite is true for nuclear, coal, & gas. Simply don’t burn the fuel, and it will remain unused indefinitely. You can store it as long as you want to and move it from place to place and release the energy to do work only when you need to.

So yeah… unfortunately wind and solar farms generate energy that has to be used immediately. You can store small amounts in traditional batteries, but there is no way you can store enough to power a whole city for a year.

Here’s my idea: Use the electrical energy from wind and solar farms to break up water via hydrolysis into oxygen and hydrogen. Release the oxygen into the air (I’m sure no one will complain that we’re "polluting" the air with life-giving oxygen!) and store the hydrogen. Yes, it’s a flammable gas but with today’s technology and safety devices, it can be safely stored and transported. Then, whenever you need energy, simply burn the hydrogen. Those of you who have taken Chem 101 know that the only "waste" product from burning hydrogen is 100% pure water.

It’s a win-win environmentally and energy-storage wise. There’s no need for toxic chemicals in batteries to store energy, and there’s no need to burn anything that creates smoke or other toxic waste products or pollution.

I’m sure I’m not the first one to think of this. So my question is… why isn’t my idea being implemented on a mass scale? What’s wrong with it?

Atlas, Austin-Healey, Auto-Union, Autocar, Autodynamics and Avanti proof that the motorcar powered by an internal combustion engine is not a sustainable technology?

B Question: If you answered no to the first question: Then why do Conservatives seem to think that the failure of one little solar cell firm means the end of the Solar industry?
Allison, if I’d included all of the automakers that were no longer in business it would have gone on for several pages. I just started with the As.

At different times I have mentioned using a gen-set trailer or electrifying roadways other solutions are replacing batteries (a la Better Place) or making new friends [as already has been done on some remarkably long EV road trips.] The Volt puts the gen-set in the vehicle, fuel cells want to give you a hybrid hydrogen/electric car and then there are even commercial solar cars … all of which are available with existing technology. Cyclists turn the question around and add hybrid electric to their leg power. What are you waiting for?
Sally did you post your response under the intended question?