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

solar Energy is not a ascendent to Americas Energy CrisisWith the growing cost of fuel for cars and the paradiddle blackouts of last summer, the need for an alternative, cost-effective, environment friendly ability source is escalating. more possible solutions have been presented, such as nuclear power, wind power, and enthalpy fuel cells prevalent among these is solar power.Solar cells directly convert photons from the cheer into electricity (Wikipedia). Solar cells that convert both solar and non-solar light be called photovoltaic cells (Wikipedia 2006). They are made of semi conducting materials, most often te (Aldous 2006). The simplest photovoltaic cells power watches and calculators while larger, more complex systems potty make for to the power grid and provide power for homes.How Solar Power whole kit and boodleMost solar cells are made of crystalline te. thin silicon has 14 electrons that form 3 different tiers around the individual portion. In the last tier ther e are only 4 electrons, notwithstanding as each tier desires 5 electrons there is one absentminded from this tier. To fill the last spot the electrons will join together to dower 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 free 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 much better as a conductor than pure silicon. This is because the Tempter has five electrons in its final tier so every atom of phosphorus has one electron not shared with ... ...sidered as a viable alternative energy source at the present, nonetheless if, with pass on research, efficiency continues to increase and the cost to produce solar panels continues to de crease, solar energy could be a major contributor to power in the future.Solar Energy 7ReferencesAldous, S. How Stuff Works. How Solar Cells Work.Retrieved disdainful 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