Solar Panels Analysis Persuasive Essay Example

putting a layer of phosphorous on the surface and heating it. The phosphorous atoms will then diffuse into the silicon wafers. The “doped” silicon wafers are put together to form the solar cell.

These solar cells are put on the backing panel to form the solar panel. Conductive metal strips, used to attract sunlight, are put on the side of the panel facing the sun. The last step is to glue a layer of glass on top of the solar cells which protects them from other elements and allows sunlight to pass through. (RISK) UsesSolar panels are used to power many types of electronic equipment such as handheld calculators, vehicles, boats, entire buildings or cities. To power cities, solar power plants are used which consist of an array of solar panels arranged to generate sufficient commercial electricity. However, this is 2 to 5 times more expensive than producing electricity from fossil fuels.

Solar electricity, however, is free, abundant, and does not pollute. Solar panels can also be used to power homes, and can be placed on tops of rooftops. The solar panels can be used independently or “in conjunction with a local power grid. (Solar Panel Info) The most well known use of solar panels is to reduce the use of fossil fuels. In Dubai, the government is focusing on reducing their reliance on oil. Solar energy is being used more around the world as people realize its benefits.

For example, Toronto Hydro, a company in Toronto Canada, in 2004 implemented solar panels worth $300,000. It consisted of 189 panels arranged on the Toronto Hydro site and runs the entire building. The was one part of a revamping

of the company’s policy on energy saving which also included using wind energy and the shift to bio-diesel to power their vehicles. Priesnitz, 2004) The energy payback for solar panels is between 1 to 20 years depending on the type used.

Each cell produces around watts of electricity. (SpectroLab) The number of cells needed depends on the size of the project and the energy needs. Brand Name and Pricing Solar panels range in prices depending on their use. There are panels sold strictly for consumer use. For example, a consumer can buy Flexible Solar Panels 6v, which produces 6 volts of electricity and provides a cost-effective way to power small power applications and costs $13 per panel.

Also available for a consumer is the PowerFilm 20 Watt solar panel, which can be used, right out of the box, to power radios, TV’s, lights and fans in an SUV or trailer. This panel will produce 110 watts of electricity and costs $865. From a commercial standpoint, popular brands are Atlantis Sunlates, BP Solar, Conergy, Kyocera, Mitsubishi Electric, Sanyo, and Shell. (Silocon Solar Inc). These solar panels can span in the thousands of dollars.

Real-Life Case Russian Semeral Energy, located in Yerevan, is looking to export solar panels to Serbia. They’re looking for reliable partners there and are attracted by the ease of doing business in Serbia. The company estimated Armenia’s energy needs and feels that with the abundance of sun, and their growing tourism industry, that this is a viable and efficient solution.

Bibliography

1. Arka News Agency.
2. “Russian Semeral Energy interested in exporting solar panels and wind generators to Armenia. ” Accessed December 7, 2007 from http://www. arka. am/eng/energy/2007/11/21/7091. html#.