Reading Artifacts

Critical Reading

Preview: A bunch of panels laid out in rows.

First Impression: So many solar panels can be laid out in such a confined area.

Close Reading

Key Ideas: Solar panels are laid out pointed toward the sun to obtain optimal energy. The more solar panels there are, the more energy that can be absorbed and stored for later use.

Connections: Solar panels are like sponges of energy. They first intake the solar rays and through its technology in the panels the energy is converted into useable energy for homes and buildings.

Questions: With the amount of solar panels shown, how much energy can be produced from just one day of sunlight? Is this an optimal way of using solar panels to obtain energy?

Summary: With sunlight being the main source of energy for these panels, it is very important that these panels have an open area where the sunlight can be absorbed. The panels are laid out in rows to best intake the suns rays so the energy can be converted for later usage.

Critical Response

Key Question: Which type of solar panel is used to produce the most energy?

Detail Analysis: With different types of solar panels out there, suppliers give people choices to make about which panel they want. Each panel probably has a different energy intake and production.

Interpretation: Due to different types of panels giving off different amounts of energy, for optimal energy production engineers should find ways to enhance the process. The higher the production of energy absorbed by the panels the more energy that will be produced that can be used.

Synthesis: Chemical engineers are finding ways to optimize the usage of one solar panel. If their research is able to find a type of solar panel that is at a 90% or above conversion rate of energy then the solar panel will be very productive for the future.

Final Synthesis: Even with different types of solar panels, there are engineers out there that are working on optimizing each solar cell to convert energy absorbed into useable energy for the future. Once engineers are able to convert the solar rays that are absorbed to 100% energy conversion then more homes and companies can rely on solar energy. For now only a part of solar energy can be relied on because not 100% of the energy is converted fully. 

This artifact can teach people about chemical engineers because as of right now there are many chemical engineers doing research to find out how each solar cell in a solar panel can be enhanced for optimal usage. Chemical engineers are very in to finding new ways of obtaining renewable energy. Solar panels are a way to take the rays thats are given to the world naturally and convert that ray into energy. There are many chemical engineers that are not only trying to find new sources of renewable energy with solar panels, but also in biomass, large bodies of water, and wind.

Citation:

NSU Launches Sustainable Solar Energy Project at John U Lloyd Beach State Park. N.d. Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale-Davie. Web. 28 Feb 2013. <http://nsunews.nova.edu/nsu-launches-sustainable-solar-energy-project-john-lloyd-beach-state-park-2/solar-panels-1/>.