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Maile Coulter

Mr. MacDevitt

Projects

06 December 2017

Solar Power Energy

When people hear the words solar panels they often think of how expensive they are, but

this is because they have not entirely thought about the benefits and advantages of solar energy.

Solar energy is energy generated using the sun. The sun has provided and produced energy for

billions of years. It is the most important source of energy for life forms. Maui should invest in

solar energy, specifically solar panels, because it is an inexhaustible energy source, has a high

endurance, and it is environmentally friendly.

Solar energy is an inexhaustible energy source. Solar energy uses the sun to create

energy, which is entirely free, there is no price to pay in order to collect sunlight. So sunlight is

unlimited throughout the day, therefore solar energy is a great example of an inexhaustible

energy source. The advantage of living on the island of Maui is that there tends to be large

amounts of sunlight available. According to the 2014 Hawaii Evapotranspiration Project

Department of Geography University of Hawaii at Manoa, the irradiance levels of Maui range

from 220 to 300 watts. Haleakala has an irradiance level of 280-300 watts. Wailuku and Kahului

have an irradiance level of 220-265 watts. Lastly, Kaanapali has an irradiance level of 235-250

watts. This means that across Maui the island receives large amounts of sunlight. The sun is out

everyday, and even when the sun is not out, solar panels provide power even through cloud

cover. On a day with thick cloud cover, the power production will be much lower than average,
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but solar panels will still create energy (Do Clouds Affect Solar Panels?). Solar panels harness

both visible light and infrared light, and during these cloudy days, visible light still gets through

cloud cover and rain (Will My Solar Panels Work When It's Cloudy or Rainy?). This shows

that even on the grayest days, solar panels will still provide power. Along with solar energy

having the advantage of being inexhaustible, solar panels are also very dependable.

Solar panels have a high endurance. Solar panels can stand against several severe weather

conditions. For example, solar panels can endure anywhere from 90 plus mile per hour wind to

medium sized tree limbs to golf ball sized or larger hail (Are Solar Panels Durable?). This

shows that solar panels will survive through harsh weather conditions, whether it is high winds,

rain, or large hail storms. Solar energy systems can not only withstand severe weather conditions

but they also have a longevity of several decades. But what makes these solar panels last so

long? As materials go, depending on what type of solar panels you get, there will be different

durabilities. According to the article What are Solar Panels made of? by Luke Richardson,

there are many different types of silicon cells, but the most durable are the amorphous silicon

cells. Theses cells are flexible and used on thin film solar panels. This means that with this new

technology of silicon cells solar panels will be strong as well as last for decades. The glass

covering is also very durable plexiglass, but sometimes buyers question its power to be strong.

Often the glass used in solar panels is replaced with strong metals in order to guarantee stability

(Richardson). This information shows that even though the glass on solar panels is durable,

sometimes it is replaced just to ensure customers who question the strength of the glass

coverings. The aspect of solar panels created with materials that have a strong durability is great

for the customers, but they are also safe for the environment.
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Solar energy is a great example of an environmental friendly energy source. The carbon

footprint that is known for damaging the environment has been improved since our technology

has advanced over the years. According to the Solar Electricity Handbook 2016 Edition written

by Michael Boxwell, thanks to improved manufacturing techniques and higher volumes, the

carbon footprint of solar panels is now much lower. This means that now that solar panels are

being manufactured in larger numbers, the damage from the carbon footprint is less severe.

Although the carbon footprint has been reduced, that does not mean it has completely

disappeared. You can typically offset the carbon footprint of building the solar panels by the

energy they generate within two to three years, and the latest amorphous thin-film panels can

recoup their carbon footprint in as little as six months (Boxwell). This shows that even though

there is still a small carbon footprint, it can be redeemed by the energy it creates. Replacing our

general energy sources of coal and gas with solar power is a top solution to decreasing the

amount of carbon emissions. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory estimates that by 2030,

with an installed capacity of 100 gigawatts of solar power, the United States could avoid

100,995,293 carbon emissions. By reducing the carbon emissions in the environment it will also

avoid more than 417 mortality cases, 717 heart attacks, and 7,945 emergency room visits for

lower respiratory systems (The Environmental Benefits of Solar Power.). This information

proves that solar panels are improving, and can actively make a difference not only in our Maui

community, but across the world.

Due to solar powers inexhaustible energy source, strong tolerance against severe weather

conditions, and environmentally friendly aspects, solar energy is expanding. To use, and take

advantage of this remarkable energy source, Maui should invest majorly in solar energy. Thanks
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to new technologies, such as amorphous silicon cells, and manufacturing techniques, solar panels

can immensely improve our environments, our Maui community members health, along with

our overall way of living. Solar energy has not yet made its big break, but soon enough we will

see a difference in our small, hometown communities, and our large communities across the

world as a result of converting our everyday gas and coal to solar energy sources.
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Works Cited

Are Solar Panels Durable?| Durability of Solar Panels | Action Air Conditioning, Heating &

Solar. Action AC, 27 Sept. 2013, www.actionac.net/blogare-solar-panels-durable/.

Boxwell, Michael. Solar Electricity Handbook 2016 Edition. Greenstream Publishing, April

2016.

Do Clouds Affect Solar Panels? The Solar Company, 17 Oct. 2016,

www.thesolarco.com/do-clouds-affect-solar-panels/.

Richardson, Luke. What are Solar Panels Made of Energysage, February 8. 2017

http://news.energysage.com/what-are-solar-panels-made-of-list-of-solar-pv-materials/

Accessed November 7. 2017

Solar Photovoltaic System Design Basics Energy.gov, August 20. 2013

https://energy.gov/eere/energybasics/articles/solar-photovoltaic-system-design-basics

Accessed November 7. 2017

The Environmental Benefits of Solar Power. Solar Powers Environmental Benefits :

SolarResourceGuide.Org, www.solarresourceguide.org/solar-environmental-benefits/.

Will My Solar Panels Work When It's Cloudy or Rainy? Direct Energy Solar, 14 Dec. 2016,

www.directenergysolar.com/blog/will-my-solar-panels-work-when-its-cloudy-or-rainy/.

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