Why don’t we cover the desert with solar panels? [Ted-Ed]

Why is there a limit to the amount of power that solar panels generate?

• Solar panels are an outdated technology.

• Solar panels can only interact with certain wavelengths of light.

• Solar panels can overload local power grids, so production is capped.

• Solar panels typically aren’t exposed to enough light.

Solar power has gotten ___ cheaper over the last decade.

• 23%

• 99%

• 48%

• 89%

Why don’t we cover the Sahara with solar panels?

• It could dramatically transform the desert ecosystem.

• It would be too difficult to keep sand out of the inner workings of the panels.

• 
  It would be too costly to taxpayers.

• The technology is not advanced enough to accommodate the energy output.

How are concentrated solar plants able to generate power after the sun sets?

• They incorporate a greater number of panels to process residual energy.

• Large cooling systems are employed to increase panel efficiency.

• It takes time for the materials to cool off, so they continue to generate power even without sunlight.

• Panels in these plants are larger than usual, so they absorb more energy during daylight hours.

What are some countries doing to move solar energy beyond local power grids?

• Working on ways to connect electric grids across the globe

• Building solar farms in urban areas

• Harvesting greater amounts of energy

• Encouraging local populations to use less electricity

Aside from deserts, what other environments might be suitable for solar energy development?

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In what ways do you think local communities are affected by the construction of nearby solar farms?

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Consider other alternative energy sources. How might they be better or worse for the environment than solar power?

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If all or most of our energy came from solar power, how might that affect economic, political, and cultural relationships across the globe?

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