Solar power Energy from sunlight can cause some chemicals to release electrons. This property has been developed in the photovoltaic cell used in solar panels to produce electricity. These cells can produce an electric current when light and heat strike their surface.
Fig. 5 A solar power plant in Shanghai, China.
Activity Construct a solar-powered fan
Materials Solar power kit: solar panel, motor, wires, fan
Procedure
1. Use the instructions in the solar panel kit to assemble a solar panel and a fan 2. Place the solar cell in natural sunlight. Note what happens to the fan.
Questions 1. Will the fan spin on an overcast day? Do you think this would be an issue in Ireland?
2. What conditions do you think are needed to get the maximum output from a solar panel on the roof of a house?
Extended Investigation Investigate how distance from a light source affects the output of a solar cell.
Fig. 6 A geothermal power station in Iceland.
Geothermal energy Geothermal energy uses the heat contained under the earth’s surface to heat homes and generate electricity. Water is pumped through pipes deep in the ground, where it is warmed by the earth before returning to the surface. Parts of the world such as Iceland and New Zealand use geothermal energy as they have many hot springs and geothermal wells close to ground level.
