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solar power

There are many kinds of energy. But only one makes plants grow, drives the weather, and keeps our planet warm enough for life. It's solar energy, the heat and light from the Sun. Solar energy can also produce electricity. Solar panels capture sunlight and convert it directly into electricity. And solar collectors use a different process to generate electricity at solar power plants.

Stats

Definition: energy from the Sun that can be collected and turned into electricity
Carbon Dioxide Emissions: none!
Cost: cheap and getting cheaper (vs. other energy sources)
Location: works best in areas that receive strong, consistent sunlight
Current Use: Solar power provides 9% of the world's electricity, and it’s growing rapidly.
Cool Fact: Solar panels provide electricity for people who live far away from power lines in places like Kenya, India, and Australia. The panels power everyday devices like lights, phones, computers, and refrigerators.

Stumper

Solar collectors use _____ to focus sunlight.

mirrors

prisms

satellites

Correct!

Solar collectors use mirrors to focus sunlight onto pipes filled with fluid. The hot fluid is used to boil water. The steam from the boiling water turns a turbine that runs a generator that produces energy.

Stumper

Solar power is:

limited

non-renewable

renewable

Correct!

Solar power is renewable and unlimited. Whenever the Sun is shining, we have solar power. And batteries for storing solar power overnight and during cloudy weather are rapidly getting cheaper and more efficient.

Fact or Fiction

Solar power is not convenient for people living in cities, where there's limited room for solar panels.

Fact

Fiction

Solar panels can be installed on city rooftops. And solar concentrators can power plants in urban areas.

Fact or Fiction

Every hour, the Sun provides Earth with enough energy to meet the world's energy needs for one year.

Fact

Fiction

Fact

But solar panels work best in sunny spots, like deserts. In the future, high-voltage electrical lines could carry electricity from remote solar plants to communities.

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Card 047: Sun