Chris Sledge

Prof Barr
Humn 1201
12 Nov 1013

Solar energy is a viable alternative resource, because sunlight is our most

abundant resource. We (Americans) are consumers and have become accustom to a

lifestyle of using natural resources with no limitation. Coal, natural gas, and oil, have all

been over exploited. The depletion of these resources results in a steady rise in cost for

said resources. And on top of that we are constantly damaging our environment. Have

you ever thought of what is going to happen when we run out??

Point 1: sunlight is an infinite resource, yet we take it for granted. According to the

American Academy of Political and Social science “the raw energy, in the form of

electromagnetic radiation, reaches the earth's atmosphere at a rate of

170 trillion kilowatts per day, Even after about one-fourth is reflected and scattered

into space by clouds and dust, the quantity of energy reaching the land area of the

United States is more than 700 times the current demand for all types of energy”.

Electromagnetic radiation is solar energy in its purest form. A certain type of cell was

created to convert solar energy into usable energy. It is called a photovoltaic cell. It

consists of a polysilicon base, which is heated to melting temperature, and then trace

amounts of boron are added to produce photovoltaic cells.

Point 2: there are many ways that solar energy can be harnessed and converted into

usable energy. Scientists have manufactured a way to convert solar radiation into thermal,

electrical and mechanical energy. This process uses photovoltaic cells that are made up of

silicon base. These cells are then placed on a panel. Next, electrical contacts are

imprinted on the top (negative) surface of the cell. An aluminized conductive material is
deposited on the back (positive) surface of each cell. Finally an anti- reflectant coating

is applied to the top surface of the cell. Some major Fortune 500 companies have already

invested in the solar energy industry such as Intel, Whole Foods, Dell, and Johnson &

Johnson. As more developments are made within the Solar Power industry it will become

more cost effective alternative than burning fossil fuels, which is the largest cause of

pollution in the atmosphere.

Point 3:there are numerous benefits to converting to solar energy. Some of the benefits

include, a decrease in our (Americans) dependence on fossil fuels. Since solar radiation is

naturally provided there will be less of a demand on other limited resources such as crude

oil natural gas, electricity. It can also slow down global warming because using solar

power does not emit harmful pollutants into the air. Thirdly it will create more jobs. Once

his industry gets going there will be a demand for people to help manufacture, sell and

distribute the product worldwide. Therefore creating more jobs and helping out the

economy. The New Jersey Public Interest Research Group reports that if only 10 percent

of the homes in the Mid-Atlantic States used some solar power, 25,390 jobs would be

created, with a payroll of $364 million by 2014.

In Closing, It would behoove us to begin to harness this energy and begin improving our

lives not just for us but also for generations to come

Thank you

Video: how home solar panel systems work

Works Cited

Löf, George. "Solar Energy: An infinite source of Clean Energy ." Annals of the
American Academy of Political and Social Science . 410. (2013): 52-64. Print.
<http://www.jstor.org/stable/1041937 >.