Abstract
The paper examines the importance of solar energy as a sustainable energy source and a brief discussion of the origins of the current energy crisis and is followed by a discussion concerning how solar energy is collected and used. An assessment of the potential impact of widespread solar energy use in the United States is followed by an analysis of what types of changes will need to take place for this type of alternative energy initiative to succeed. Finally, a discussion of the short- and long-term goals for solar energy is followed by a summary of the research and important findings. The paper includes photographs and a number of diagrams and tables.

Outline:
Introduction
Review and Discussion
Why Do We Need Solar Energy?
What Does Solar Energy Do?
How Does Solar Energy Help People, Businesses, Environment, Etc?
What/Who/How Caused The Need For This?
How Do We Go About Getting This Resource?
How Are We Going To Harness This Power?
What Is Going To Happen Once Solar Power Is Widespread?
Are There Other Types Of Energy That Can Be Used?
How Are We Going To Have To Change To Embrace This New Type Of Energy?
What Are The Short Term Goals For This?
What Are the Long Term Goals For This?
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Anyone who has purchased a tank of gasoline, a sack of groceries or paid an electric bill in the past few months can readily testify to the need for cheaper and more reliable sources of energy for the United States today. The nation's continuing reliance on fossil fuels such as petroleum and coal have created a dilemma for consumers and businesses alike as energy prices continue to skyrocket and the country's security is threatened by uncertain foreign suppliers that can play havoc with the national economy by reducing production, raising prices, or imposing an embargo. History has shown time and again that the OPEC and like-minded energy producers are not reluctant to use these tactics when they believe the situation calls for them, and the need for alternative energy sources has never been greater than today.
"What does solar energy do?
"Solar energy is responsible for virtually all forms of the life on earth, providing both the power source and warmth needed to sustain life in an otherwise sterile and harsh universe. Solar energy also drives or contributes to global weather systems."

Tags:solar energy, alternative energy, environment

Abstract
The paper relates that the focus on global warming and greenhouse gases has been more prevalent today than any time in world history, therefore, the need for discovering alternate fuels has been in the forefront of print, broadcast, and even Hollywood media. The paper looks at how Al Gore's Academy Award winning documentary film, "An Inconvenient Truth," brought the dangers of using carbon and other polluting substances into the world spotlight ("An Inconvenient Truth"). The paper discusses how petroleum and solar energy have gained massive popularity due to the interest and concern of individuals who desire to find alternative fuel sources. The paper describes how advances in the generation and implementation of solar energy have moved forward at a very rapid pace in recent years. Nevertheless, the paper shows how alternative sources of fuel can be expensive and this may hinder its use. Yet, the paper asserts that solar energy is still a viable technology that can solve much of the world's energy needs.

From the Paper
"The focus on global warming and greenhouse gases has been more prevalent today than anytime in world history, therefore, the need for discovering alternate fuels has been in the forefront of print, broadcast, and even Hollywood media. For instance, Al Gore's Academy Award winning documentary...."

Tags:solar, energy, cost

Abstract
In this article, the writer discusses the advantages and disadvantages of solar energy. The writer includes includes the effects of solar energy on the environment and ability to reduce American dependence on foreign oil, as well as how it impacts American culture.

From the Paper
"Solar energy is nothing more than the light and heat provided by the sun. However solar energy has some pretty amazing advantages. For one thing it's a totally free all-natural energy source. For another the entire earth is like a giant solar collector because the earth receives and collects solar energy in the atmosphere oceans and plant life. After the earth absorbs half of the sun's energy and makes heat from it the other half bounces back out ..."

Tags:solar energy, cost, American culture, portability, pollution, advantages, disadvantages, terrorism, foreign oil

Abstract
This paper examines the difficulties of converting solar energy to useful energy that people can use. The paper begins by discussing the costliness of the process of converting solar energy and then discusses how vast amounts of space are necessary to collect sunlight. The paper also examines the different materials and technology necessary to make the conversion, which are also costly. Lastly the paper addresses the issue of getting people to adjust their lifestyles to accommodate the more energy efficient, solar powered appliances.

From the Paper
"Scientists at General Motors in 1949 were working on ways to turn plant energy into force that could run cars. They wanted to turn solar power into horsepower. The bomb at Hiroshima had been dropped and compared to the research on atomic powered cars, solar energy was much safer and did not require shielding car passengers from the same types of radiation. The scientists estimated that a radiation shield would weigh twenty-five tons, so energy from plants seemed a worthwhile area to investigate. John Campbell, chief of the organic chemistry department at General Motors explained, 'In a single day the average amount of solar energy falling on one acre of ground in the temperate zone is equivalent to 700 gallons of gasoline, or enough to operate the average automobile for a year.' Plants do not absorb much of the solar energy that reaches the earth. Campbell mentions, 'in performing the miracle of photosynthesis, green plants generally absorb less than 1 per cent of the solar energy which strikes their leaves.' C.F. Kettering, also a scientist at General Motors, was working on ways to harness solar energy. Kettering concern was that 'in order to produce significant mechanical power from solar energy, we are going to have to devise greatly improved means of converting solar energy into useful power.'"

Tags:science disadvantages, plant energy, photovoltaic cells, sun, solar power

Abstract
This paper provides a full explanation about the way in which solar energy is created. The paper looks at the process in details and then discusses what benefits solar energy may have in the future.

From the Paper
"Solar Energy comes from Solar cells which today are mostly made of silicon, one of the most common elements on Earth. The crystalline silicon solar cell was one of the first types to be developed and it is still the most common type in use today. They do not pollute the atmosphere and they leave behind no harmful waste products. Photovoltaic cells work effectively even in cloudy weather and unlike solar heaters, are more efficient at low temperatures. They do their job silently and there are no moving parts to wear out. It is no wonder that one marvels on how such a device would function. To understand how a solar cell works, it is necessary to go back to some basic atomic concepts. In the simplest model of the atom, electrons orbit a central nucleus, composed of protons and neutrons."

Tags:alternative, cells, electricity, energy, fuels, photovoltaic, power, solar

Abstract
In order to better understand the issue of solar energy, this paper presents a definition of the terms and concepts relating to solar energy. The paper examines the technologies that are currently used to put solar energy to work. A short historical background on the development of solar technology in the past sixty years is presented. The paper explores the reasons why it is important to develop solar energy and discusses its future costs and benefits.

From the Paper
"Solar energy is radiation from the Sun that can produce heat, generate electricity, or cause chemical reactions. Solar energy is inexhaustible and nonpolluting, but it is not an efficient energy source, since the Earth's atmosphere absorbs or scatters over 50% of incoming solar radiation. Solar collectors collect the radiation and transfer it as heat to a carrier fluid. It can then be used for heating. Solar cells convert solar radiation directly into electricity, by means of the photoelectric effect.
Very often, there is confusion about the various methods used to harness the sun's abundant and clean energy. Energy from the sun can be categorized in two ways: in the form of heat (or thermal energy), and in the form of light energy. Solar thermal technologies use the sun's heat energy to heat substances (such as water or air) for applications such as space heating, pool heating and water heating for homes and businesses. There is a variety of products on the market that utilize thermal energy. Often the products used for this application are called solar thermal collectors and can be mounted on the roof of a building or in some other sunny location. The sun's heat can also be used to produce electricity on a large utility-scale by converting the sun's heat energy into mechanical energy. "

Tags:thermal, sun, heat, light

Abstract
Scientists, environmentalists, and advocates of cheap, clean energy often tout solar energy as the answer to the world's energy problems and the energy source of the future. This paper examines whether solar energy is, indeed, the answer and whether its use on a large-scale is practical for use in the United States. It also looks at the history and types of solar energy.

From the Paper
"In addition, creating solar power generators it is a much smaller endeavor than building power generators for neighborhoods and businesses. Solar energy is quiet, reliable, and safe, and it makes sense in a variety of situations. Because of this, many states, including New Jersey, are adopting stricter standards for utility companies concerning utilizing more solar power. A recent amendment by the New Jersey Legislature requires the state's electrical utilities to utilize solar power as a portion of their power generation."

Tags:photovoltaics, Recreational, Vehicles, pollution

Abstract
The paper discusses how solar energy is expensive, takes up a lot of space, and is inefficient on cloudy days. The paper suggests solutions to develop systems that are more efficient, take up less space, and are affordable even for the average homeowner. The paper believes that if these problems can be solved, solar energy could become a much more viable alternative for industry, homeowners, utility companies and governments.

From the Paper
"There are several problems with solar energy that must be addressed before its use becomes more widespread. The major problem associated with solar energy are the high costs to build and maintain a solar system, whether it is residential or commercial. It is more expensive to create solar energy than it is to create the same amount of fossil fuel energy in almost every case, and this means that development of solar energy plants lags far behind what could be developed."

Tags:environment, fossil, fuels, sun, rays, electricity

Abstract
This paper examines two distinct inventions: light bulbs and solar energy. First it discusses the incandescent light bulb and its inventor, Thomas Alva Edison, and explore the differences between incandescent and fluorescent light bulbs. Then the long history and increasing importance of solar power and its modern applications are discussed.

From the Paper
"On December 31st, 1879, after years of work and many experiments, Thomas Alva Edison gave the first demonstration of the incandescent light bulb at his laboratory in Menlo Park, New Jersey. He was assisted in his invention by Francis Upton, a Princeton Graduate who supplied the mathematical and theoretical expertise that Edison lacked. This invention established Edison's reputation as the world's greatest inventor. Before his invention, electric arc lighting was used to produce light. In this lighting system, lights were connected in a series circuit, so if one failed, the rest of the bulbs on the circuit also failed. (First Public Demonstration?)

Edison was able to spend so much time and money on the invention of the light bulb because of his reputation as an inventor. He had the support of financiers such as J.P. Morgan and the Vanderbilts. They established the Edison Light Company and loaned Edison $30,000 for research and development. (First Public Demonstration?)"

Tags:bulb, light, paper, power, research, solar

Abstract
The paper explores the impact of an industry going solar on labor, investment, demand, and the impact on consumers. The paper provides an example that supports the hypothesis that the capital costs of going green are offset by the long-term gains in growth.

Outline:
Modeling the Economic Impact of Solar Energy
Consumer Buying and Green Energy

From the Paper
""Going Green" in any industry has its advantages. For instance, special financing and grants are available to encourage the use of sustainable energy sources. For instance, in the San Francisco Bay area a bond is available for green building construction (East Bay EDA). California is a leader in the development of programs to help encourage green development in industry. For instance, companies can take advantage of tax incentives, credit for research and development, and assistance with employee training (East Bay EDA). These incentives add to the economic advantages of going green for an industry. However, these incentives are not the key driving factors behind the green movement in industry."

Tags:labor, investment, demand, consumers, capital, output, marketing