Headline: Solar Power
Good or Bad?
Main Article:
A few years ago, solar panels were not very common in London. Now, as our country grows more aware of the environment, more and more people are purchasing them. They are becoming more familiar, and in the future, a house without solar panels could be considered strange!
Solar panels were first used by the Ancient Greeks and the Native Americans.
The incredible power of the sun has been used by humans for a very long time, surprisingly, not a large number of people use it.
So, how do we harness the power of the sun? A solar panel is a device that collects and converts solar energy into electricity or heat. It transfers energy from the sun into electricity or heat which can be used by (for example) nearby buildings. Solar panels can be made so that the sun's energy excites the atoms in a silicon layer between two protector panels. The atoms split up and the electrons travel down wires into the home for electricity.
Solar panel electricity systems, also known as solar photovoltaic’s (PV), capture the sun's energy using photovoltaic cells. These cells don't need direct sunlight to work - they can still generate some electricity on a cloudy day. The cells convert the sunlight into electricity, which can be used to run household appliances and lighting
PV cells are made from layers of semi-conducting material, usually silicon. When light shines on the cell it creates an electric field across the layers. The stronger the sunshine, the more electricity is produced. Groups of cells are mounted together in panels or modules that can be mounted on your roof.
The power of a PV cell is measured in kilowatts peak (kWp). That's the rate at which it generates energy at peak performance in full direct sunlight during the summer. PV cells come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Most PV systems are made up of panels that fit on top of an existing roof, but you can also fit solar tiles.
Not only is that, solar panels a great contribution in changing climate change. As we all know electricity is made by burning fossils and fuels, which creates carbon dioxide in the air. Solar panes will stop this as electricity would not be used but the great source of light.
Did you know…?
Solar Panels saves up to 1,100kg of CO2.The Prices of it are in the range of £10,000 - £18,000.It’s a lot of money so why should we buy it? Using solar panels in your homes is a huge contribution to tackling climate change. The alternative would be to use non-renewable energy such as fossil fuels which create masses of carbon dioxide in the air. This affects human’s worldwide. How? Well let me tell you. Climate change would mean global warming. If the earth gets hotter by one degree tens of thousands of homes around the Bay of Bengal will be under water. Droughts and new deserts in the western USA will cause global shortages of wheat and beef. And much more. From that increase in one degree we can understand that it can get a lot worse.
Now the question we need to be asking is ‘why not?’
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Interview with Mr Bishop
1. What are your thoughts on solar panels?
“Very good, the technology isn’t quite there to make it affordable for everyone. The government have cut the amount of money for building solar panels, making it even less affordable.”
2. Pros, cons:
Pros - “If it is once installed it’s free, clean and people object to wind farms.”
Cons - “Expensive compared to small wind farms.”
3. Should they be used more?
“Yes, because we should get a lot more energy from renewable sources.”
4. Why are they not used much?
“It is too expensive. The government makes cuts, they are liars, and they remove funding.”
5. Would you consider using solar power?
“Yes!” JPEG 2:
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