Solar Energy

Solar Energy

​Solar Thermal Power Plant

Solar Energy

​There are two main types of Solar Energy Plants

1. Photovotaic (PV) cells collect solar energy and change it into electricity.

2. Solar Thermal: sun shines on large panels which heat up water to turn a steam turbine.

What is Solar Energy?

Solar energy comes from the sun.

The sun send energy to the Earth in the form of radiation.

This energy also heats the Earth.

Solar cells or photovoltaic cells (PV) collect the radiation and turn it into useable energy.

How does a PV cell work?

When the sunlight hits the cell, it knocks electrons loose from their atoms.

As the electrons flow through the PV cell, they make electricity.

This electricity can be used to power things.

It is the same idea as a steam turbine. But instead of using a generator with a magnet, the PV cell can make electricity.

PV cells can be used in cities on street signs or lights.

The PV cells can collect energy from the sun all day and be used at night.

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Solar Energy in Cities

You can also add solar panels to the roof of your house.

The panels will change solar energy to electricity for your home. Extra electricity can be given back to the electricity grid.

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Solar Energy in Cities

Solar thermal powerplants are a lot like other power plants.

They use mirrors to heat up water to turn a steam turbine which spins a generator to create electricity.

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Solar Thermal

Several building in Taiwan use solar power.

One of the most famous is the Beitou Library.

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​Solar Power in Taiwan

Multiple Choice

What does PV stand for?

• photovolcano

• photovanilla

• photovoltaic

• photovolts

Multiple Choice

What is the difference between PV and solar thermal?

• PV cells use steam turbines and solar thermal does not.

• PV cells use the sun but solar thermal uses the rain.

• PV cells use panels but solar thermal uses mirrors and a steam turbine.

• PV cells use panels and solar thermal uses panels.

Multiple Choice

How are PV cells and generators the same?

• They both use reactions with atoms to create electricity.

• They both use turbines.

• They both use the sun.

• They both use generators.

Multiple Choice

Where can you find PV cells in the city?

• Street signs

• Street lights

• Youbike stations

• All of the above

Multiple Choice

What could a disadvantage of a solar thermal power plant be?

• It creates pollution by heating up water.

• You need a lot of mirrors to heat the water which takes up a lot of space.

• It can be built in desserts.

• It doesn't look very pretty.