The what, how, and why of Solar Energy,

Dedicated to Science

This here is Sam the Sun.

He lives every day giving off his heat and energy to other people.

Sometimes people use him in a process called solar energy.

Solar Energy is the way that sunlight is used through solar panels to make electricity.

He thinks that he is the best way to make energy, and he does not want there to be any other way for people to get energy.

Something strange about Sam the Sun though, is that he is selfish.

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When they use Geothermal, Nuclear, and Hydroelectric energy, he gets mad, and you do not want to see him mad.

The biggest reason he gets mad is because he knows sunlight is a renewable resource and it is very sustainable. He thinks it is a waste to not use him, he likes to be used.

Solar Energy works by the rays of the sun hitting the solar panel. When the sunlight hits the panel, electrons are replaced, letting the sun in. Then a tool in the panel can flip the energy to help items that are electric. The electricity goes through a box that can connect to outlets in the area, then you plug into the outlet and ta-da! The sun has turned into energy!

Sam knows about how solar energy is good, but he doesn't know about how it is bad. 

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GOOD REASONS

BAD REASONS

It can be good because it doesn't use fossil fuels, it is a better option compared to other energy sources with the amounts of greenhouse gases and pollution there is, and it makes no noise.

It can be bad because the cost of first using it can be high, there is less solar energy in the winter and none at night, and it uses up a lot of land.

When Sam learned about the bad of solar energy, he thought maybe he isn't the best source of energy, and then he turned sad.

The sky cried for him and he lost all of his ego.

But then he thought of everyone that needed him and the ways he is used.

And he realized that he is the main factor of the earth, and without him, nothing would be possible, this really made him happy again.

Sam made a promise to never get mad again, no matter what. He will always be used for solar energy and his light will be used as energy to help the earth forever.

GLOSSARY

Solar panel: a device that converts sunlight into electricity by using photovoltaic (PV) cells

Hydroelectric energy: The use of free falling water for energy.

Nuclear energy: A form of energy released from the nucleus when nuclei of atoms are split apart or fused together

Geothermal energy: The heating within the earth used for energy.

Pollution: When something is added to an area that can harm the surroundings.

Renewable resource: A resource that can be replaced by itself over time.

Sustainable yield: amount of resources that humans can use up without overusing the natural resource.

Fossil Fuels: Made from dead plants that got buried by rock, burn them for  energy.

Electron:  If combined with a proton and a neutron, they make up an atoms nucleus.

Greenhouse gases: Gases that stay in earth's atmosphere and heat up the earth.