What You Can Do In the Community
With Solar Energy

Did you know solar energy can be used almost anywhere in the world? Even when there's no sunlight at night, storage units such as batteries can save the sun's energy, so it can be used at night.
 


Solar energy is great to use in the community to help the environment. In order to help, you and an adult should talk to local business managers and try to get them to put up solar panels at their business. Talk to them about solar energy. Here are some important facts to point out:

  • Explain that the cost of PVs (photovoltaic cells) has dropped in recent years.  Today it is 90% cheaper than it was in the 1970s.  Today it is actually possible for a business to create more electricity using solar power than they need.  Then they can sell it back to local power companies.
  • Next, let them know that even though these systems are expensive to install, the business will save money in the long-term on their electricity bills.

Another thing you can do to get people thinking about using solar energy in your community is to put up signs and talk to people about it. It is so easy. Anyone can make a difference. This is your chance to make a difference!

Even though you may not see it, people and businesses in your community are using solar energy. Even if your community is using only 0.5 of a megawatt, that’s great! Since solar energy is becoming more and more popular you’ll start to see a few more solar panels in your community. So, keep an eye out for those solar panels!

In some countries like the United Kingdom, projects are being set up as models for businesses.  That way businesses can look at different schemes for using solar energy and see how well they work. Wouldn't it be great if someone in your community set up one of these projects?

In the Netherlands, there are even bigger projects being created.  Their government is working along with their industries to create efficient solar powered programs. Now that's good thinking!

|Global Warming In the Community| |The 3Rs In the Community|
|Solar Energy In the Community| |Water In the Community|
|Trees In the Community| |Electricity In the Community|
|Bald Eagles| |Gorillas| |Komodo Dragons| |Lions| |Orangutans| |Rhinoceros| |Timber Wolves| |Whooping Cranes|

Online Resources

"How Solar Cells Work." HowStuffWorks. 26 November 2006 <http://www.howstuffworks.com/solar-cell.htm>.

"Photovoltaic Cells and Modules." Photovoltaic Solar Energy 30 November 2006 <http:// www.newenergy.org/sesci/publication/pamphlets/photovoltaic.html>.

“Photovoltaics.” Energy Facts. 19 December 2006 <http://www.solarenergy.org/resources/energyfacts.html>.

"Solar Power."  Climate Change.  30 February 2007 <http://www.bbc.co.uk/climate/adaptation/solar_power.shtml>.

"Solar Power." Wikipedia. 5 December 2006 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_power>.

Images

Permission to use photograph of solar panel module and solar collector in field is granted under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License or images are in the public domain from Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia.  <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page> (February, 2007).

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