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
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
This paper takes an in-depth look at the opportunity available through using solar panels. According to the paper, with the demand for energy increasing, and the pressure this puts on prices combined with the effort to provide cleaner sources of energy, this makes the move toward solar energy stronger. Government incentives have enable increased technological breakthroughs in terms of solar panels.

From the Paper
"Current solar energy usage accounts for several tenths of a percent of the total electricity generation world wide which is a negligible fraction compared to fossil fuel consumption. However, the growth rate of solar energy is the most rapidly growing alternative energy source with demand far exceeding capacity. Statistics show that new global capacity in 2004 exceeded the new capacity in 2003 (574 megawatt) by no less than 62%. (Ronna Kelly, 2008) Still with all of the growth there still is plenty of opportunity within the solar..."

Tags:technology, solar panels, government incentives

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
The paper relates that the Earth's solar system is the only known solar system with a planet that has a livable atmosphere for humans or oxygen breathing carbon based life. The paper notes that the Sun is the most abundant source of electromagnetic energy in the solar system while the nearest stellar neighbor to the Sun is another star that is approximately 4.3 light years from the Sun called Proxima Centauri.

From the Paper
"The Earth's solar system is the only known solar system with a planet that has a livable atmosphere for humans or oxygen breathing, carbon based life. The Sun is the most abundant source of electromagnetic energy in the solar system while the nearest stellar neighbor to the Sun is another star that is approximately 4.3 light years from the Sun called Proxima Centauri (Lauerman 112). The Earth's solar system is unique in that it also rests in a galaxy which is itself somewhat unique from its neighbors. The Solar System's galaxy, or mass of stars, is known as the Milky Way and it has two smaller adjacent galaxies which in turn orbit it known as the Large..."

Tags:earth, solar, system

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
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 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
This paper discusses solar energy in terms of natural resource economics and relates it to the concept of free market environmentalism. The paper also explains the benefits of using solar power as an energy source as opposed to fossil fuels.

From the Paper
"Since the oil embargo, oil price increases have been a concern for many nations, especially for the United States. Today's high fuel prices speak to the imperative to find alternative energy sources to fossil fuels. Solar power is one such potentially viable alternative. Why use solar power? In addition to its value as an environmentally clean source of energy, solar power has economic value in terms of being a renewable resource that can be controlled by the nation or region using..."

Tags:solar energy, free market economics

Abstract
The paper describes the alternative energy project of Solar One Barstow. The paper looks at the general politics of the project, the problems with it and the development on the new project on the site.

From the Paper
"The world is quickly entering an energy crisis. This is because many of the world's sources of cheap, accessible and convenient non-renewable energy sources are being depleted. Developed countries like Canada and the United States are facing major difficulties because of a combination of high energy consumption rates, high levels of dependence on a single energy resource and the depletion of that same energy resource. For example, in "Renewable Energy" David Pimentel et al note, "The United States faces serious energy shortages in the near future.""

Tags:solar, one, barstow