Solar Energy is not a Solution to the American Energy Crisis Essay

Solar qualification is not a Solution to the Statess Energy CrisisWith the growing cost of displace for cars and the rolling blackouts of oddment summer, the need for an alternative, cost-effective, environment friendly energy source is escalating. Many achievable solutions have been presented, such as nuclear ability, wind power, and hydrogen fuel cells prevalent among these is solar power.Solar cells directly convert photons from the sun into electricity (Wikipedia). Solar cells that convert both solar and non-solar light are called photovoltaic cells (Wikipedia 2006). They are made of semi conducting materials, most often ti (Aldous 2006). The simplest photovoltaic cells power watches and calculators while larger, more complex systems can add to the power grid and provide power for homes.How Solar Power Works well-nigh solar cells are made of luculent silicon. Pure silicon has 14 electrons that form 3 different tiers around the individual atom. In the outlive tier there a re only 4 electrons, but as each tier desires 5 electrons there is one missing from this tier. To satiate the last spot the electrons will join together to share their electrons. This linking is what forms the crystalline structure, which is vital for photovoltaic cells. (Aldous 2006)Solar Energy 3Pure silicon is not a good conductor for electricity because it has no eject electrons, so we add impurities to the silicon. The process of adding impurities is called doping. Phosphorus is an impurity that can be added into the silicon used for solar cells. This type of impure silicon is called N-type and is oft better as a conductor than pure silicon. This is because atomic number 15 has flipper electrons in its final tier so every atom of phosphorus has one electron not shared with ... ...sidered as a operable alternative energy source at the present, nonetheless if, with further research, capability continues to increase and the cost to produce solar panels continues to decreas e, solar energy could be a major contributor to power in the time to come.Solar Energy 7ReferencesAldous, S. How Stuff Works. How Solar Cells Work.Retrieved August 3, 2006 from http//www.howstuffworks.com/solar- cell.htmCarlstrom, P. (2005, July 11). The Chronicle.As solar gets smaller, its future gets brighter Nanotechnology could turn rooftops into a sea of power-generating stations. Retrieved August 3, 2006 from http//www.sfgate.com/cgi- bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/07/11/BUG7IDL1AF1.DTLSOLAR CELLS. Retrieved August 3, 2006 from http//www.solarnavigator.net/solar_panels.htmWikipedia. Solar Cell. Retrieved August 3, 2006 from http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_cell