Solar Power

Solar Power: The Future of Energy

Paul Traxler

Paul Traxler

Benjamin Jedd

Written Communication

6 May 2013

Solar Power: The Future of Energy

“… The world is fettered by the supply chains of a finite, exhaustible resource base, chains which are dragging humanity inexorably into the abyss.” (Scheer, 37). This world is being hampered by its energy demands, and it is slowly traveling down a path that has an uncertain destination. Energy prices soar, resources become thinner, and the worry of possible climate change weighs heavy upon the inhabitants of planet earth. The world is being forced to look for new sources to satisfy this relentless energy addiction, and yet the answer could be falling all around; solar energy. It is estimated that approximately 8.2 million “quad” (quadrillion) BTU’s of solar energy reaches the earth’s surface over the course of a year (Ecoworld.com), an astonishing number since the whole world consumes only 550 quad BTU’s a year (IEO2011, 1) . If the human race could somehow harness this vast energy source, it is not beyond reason to say that the world may be able to solve all it's energy problems for the foreseeable future. The field of solar power is amazing and complex with far reaching benefits, and while the cost and efficiency of the systems are sometimes called into question it will undoubtedly hold a major role in the future of this planet.

A basic understanding of how solar energy is converted into electricity is essential to be able to fully realize the benefits this technology can present. The birth of the solar age came about in the 1950's, when scientists at Bell Laboratories created the first semiconductor. Semiconductors, now the backbone of the electronic industry, have unique electrical

characteristics that give them a myriad of different uses in today's complicated circuits. They are typically made of silicon or a combination of silicon and other materials. Silicon is a is very abundant material on...