Solar Energy and the Energy Crisis

Solar Energy and the Energy Crisis

Abstract

The energy crisis is a major problem in the United States. Solar energy can help alleviate

this problem. Enough solar panels to fulfill the energy needs of the entire United States

would take up 27,347 km2 and cost almost 17 trillion dollars. Therefore, although there is

enough space for all those solar panels, the economic cost is far too great. However,

solar power can be phased in gradually.

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Solar Energy: Can It Solve the Energy Crisis?

The world's supply of fossil fuels is dwindling. The amount of power generated from

renewable energy sources needs to be increased, as there is little chance of power consumption

decreasing. Solar power is a relatively untapped power source which could contribute to solving the

energy crisis. Solar power plants can operate as long as the sun continues to give off light and heat,

and it will continue to do so for billions of years. However, solar power plants cannot be the only

power source, for they do not operate at peak efficiency at night or when the sun is obscured by dense

cloud cover.

Solar power accounted for only 0.064%

of US energy consumption in 2003, while

fossil fuels accounted for 85.973%. Also, solar

power production in the United States has been

decreasing since 1996 (see Figure 1) (Annual

Energy Review, 2003).

The most common way to convert solar radiation into electricity is the use of photovoltaic cells,

also called solar cells. These cells are grouped together in solar panels. Solar cells are made of thin

wafers of silicon (Si) with a few other elements added. The efficiency of these cells is around 12%, so

that a panel with an area of one square meter placed in direct sunlight will generate ...

... middle of paper ...

... new plants are required or to replace old, barely-working

power plants. Also, more investigation should be done into alternative ways of gathering solar energy

(such as satellites and “power towers”).

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References

Parfit, M. (2005). Future power. National Geographic, 208(2), 2-31.

Annual Energy Review. (2003). Retrieved August 01, 2005, from

http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/aer/.

Solarbuzz. (n.d.). Retrieved August 02, 2005, from http://www.solarbuzz.com/.

Solar Cell. (July 20, 2005). Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved August 01, 2005,

from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_Cell.

Solar Energy. (n.d.). Retrieved August 01, 2005, from

http://www.energyquest.ca.gov/story/chapter15.html.

United States. (July 28, 2005). CIA - The World Factbook. Retrieved August 02, 2005, from

http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/us.html.