Pros
What are the main advantages of using solar energy over fossil fuels?
Low environmental impact, long-term cost savings, renewable energy etc.
Who initiated the idea of solar panels at San Domenico?
(hint: graduation requirement)
Initiated by a student's R.O.S.E. project.
True or false? Putting solar panels in space could facilitate the entire Earth's and people's need for energy.
True.
Although it would cost billions and trillions of dollars, it will take hundreds of years with our current technology to facilitate that.
What are the challenges that prevent solar energy from being more widely adopted?(Name 3)
High initial cost, reliance on weather, challenges with storage etc.
How much of Earth's electricity is generated by solar power?
3.5% which may seem small, but is a significant reduction of CO2 production.
How can we use solar energy to save more money?
etc.
Why is San Domenico's solar system special?
(It is connected to one of our core values)
True or False? US is the world leader with solar energy.
False.
It's China.
What happens to solar power when it’s cloudy and rainy?
They still generate electricity but at a reduced rate.
What city uses almost a 100% solar energy in the US.
(very unexpected)
Las Vegas
How does solar energy help protect the earth?
reduce reliance on fossil fuels, lower greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality, conserve water resources etc.
How much of SD's energy use is generated by solar panels?
Up to 85%
Is it true that solar panels were first made almost 200 years ago.
yes! The first solar panel was made in 1839
Why can it be hard for all the people to get solar panels?
High initial cost, need for specialized labor and equipment, solar panel performance etc.
How many Watts of solar radiation does the Earth receive in a day?
174 PW = 174,000,000,000,000,000
(In comparison a household uses 11,000 a year)
How can solar energy help people who live in remote areas?
provides a clean, reliable, sustainable source of electricity, improves quality of life, foster economic development etc.
Take a guess.
How many solar panels do we have on the SD campus.
2358 panels
You could conserve solar energy for 18 years
Yes
Can we fully depend on solar energy?
It would be possible, but with our technology it is unlikely in the close future.
How much have solar panel installations and the introduction of solar power increased job opportunities in the US?
It has provided almost 1million jobs.
How long does a solar panel last?
25-30 years
By how much do solar panels at SD reduce carbon emissions anually?
860,000 pounds
Equivalent of 80 cars of carbon emissions anually.
True or False? More solar energy hits the Earth in one hour, that people use in one year.
True
Why do we need batteries if there are solar panels?
To store energy and allow the use of solar energy even if there is no sun out.
How many solar panel systems are operating in the world today?
4.7million