1. The Sun provides approximately 1.4 kilowatts (kW) of energy adding all the light striking one square meter perpendicular to a line to the Sun above the Earth's atmosphere. If solar panels are 25% efficient inconverting this optical energy to electrical energy, and if they are oriented to make maximum use of incident sunlight, how much panel area is needed to develop 10% of the regional power production which is 3.5gigawatts (GW) while the Sun shines? (3.5 GW is 3,500 MW. Currently LG&E has a 10 MW solar farm covering 50 acres.)2. A typical single solar panel that would be installed on a home uses crystalline silicon as the material that creates the current, measures 1x2 meters, and produces 340 watts at 48 volts. It is said to be 17%efficient, allowing that not all the sunlight at the top of the atmosphere reaches the surface, and that some wavelengths are beyond the range over which silicon responds. How many of these panels would beneeded to supply 15 kW that would fulfill the peak needs of a typical home? What area of the roof would they cover? This is for peak use, but typically the average power needs are about 5 kW.3. If it is sunny 8 hours a day, then you would need 3X as many panels and a way to store energy to use them 24/7, but storage also allows you have fewer panels to meet peak needs. Allowing that the panelsgather enough energy during 8 hours to provide power for that time and for 16 more hours, how much energy has to be stored? Consider two alternatives: pumped water and Tesla batteries. If youwater to a height of 20 meters, say to a pond or pool up the hill from your home, how much water by volume would have to be moved to store this energy? (Use the potential energy of gravity, (m g h), to figure thisout. ) For batteries, consider the Tesla "Powerwall", a module that stores 13.5 kWh of energy and provides 7 kW peak AC power.coulddund4. Given what you know about the physics of solar, comment on the viability of it as a sole source of power for your home, and your rechargeable electric car. If you have a clever way of storing energy, mention ithere too. Pay particular attention to cars because this General Motors in the US announced the phase out of gasoline powered cars, and Tesla is a rising star in the automotive world. Where does the electricity topower these come from? Is hydrogen fuel an alternative to consider?This question will be 20% of your exam. You are encouraged to discuss the issues and physics raised here in the on-line discussion forum. It may improve your answers to incorporate feedback from other studentstoo, but when you submit for the test make your best effort to respond with your own words, work and ideas, acknowledging your sources.

Question

1. The Sun provides approximately 1.4 kilowatts (kW) of energy adding all the light striking one square meter perpendicular to a line to the Sun above the Earth's atmosphere. If solar panels are 25% efficient inconverting this optical energy to electrical energy, and if they are oriented to make maximum use of incident sunlight, how much panel area is needed to develop 10% of the regional power production which is 3.5gigawatts (GW) while the Sun shines? (3.5 GW is 3,500 MW. Currently LG&E has a 10 MW solar farm covering 50 acres.)2. A typical single solar panel that would be installed on a home uses crystalline silicon as the material that creates the current, measures 1x2 meters, and produces 340 watts at 48 volts. It is said to be 17%efficient, allowing that not all the sunlight at the top of the atmosphere reaches the surface, and that some wavelengths are beyond the range over which silicon responds. How many of these panels would beneeded to supply 15 kW that would fulfill the peak needs of a typical home? What area of the roof would they cover? This is for peak use, but typically the average power needs are about 5 kW.3. If it is sunny 8 hours a day, then you would need 3X as many panels and a way to store energy to use them 24/7, but storage also allows you have fewer panels to meet peak needs. Allowing that the panelsgather enough energy during 8 hours to provide power for that time and for 16 more hours, how much energy has to be stored? Consider two alternatives: pumped water and Tesla batteries. If youwater to a height of 20 meters, say to a pond or pool up the hill from your home, how much water by volume would have to be moved to store this energy? (Use the potential energy of gravity, (m g h), to figure thisout. ) For batteries, consider the Tesla &#34;Powerwall&#34;, a module that stores 13.5 kWh of energy and provides 7 kW peak AC power.coulddund4. Given what you know about the physics of solar, comment on the viability of it as a sole source of power for your home, and your rechargeable electric car. If you have a clever way of storing energy, mention ithere too. Pay particular attention to cars because this General Motors in the US announced the phase out of gasoline powered cars, and Tesla is a rising star in the automotive world. Where does the electricity topower these come from? Is hydrogen fuel an alternative to consider?This question will be 20% of your exam. You are encouraged to discuss the issues and physics raised here in the on-line discussion forum. It may improve your answers to incorporate feedback from other studentstoo, but when you submit for the test make your best effort to respond with your own words, work and ideas, acknowledging your sources.

Accepted Answer

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