Difference between revisions of "Solar Farms in the California Central Coast Region"
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| − | [[Image: | + | [[Image: Topaz.jpeg|400px|thumb|right|Topaz Solar Farm in San Luis Obispo County. Image: [https://gigaom.com/2015/01/20/a-special-report-the-rise-of-a-mega-solar-panel-farm-why-its-important/]]] |
This page discusses solar farms in the central coast region. | This page discusses solar farms in the central coast region. | ||
==Summary== | ==Summary== | ||
==Technology and design== | ==Technology and design== | ||
| − | === | + | [[Image: PV_Cell.gif|200px|thumb|right|Movement of electrons in a photovoltaic cell. Image: [https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/index.cfm/data/index.cfm?page=solar_photovoltaics]]] |
| + | ===Photovoltaic technology=== | ||
| + | Solar panels or arrays that converts solar energy directly into electricity implement photovoltaic (PV) technology. | ||
| − | == | + | Within each solar panel and array are small units of semiconductor material called PV cells. When sunlight strikes the surface of a PV cell, some photons are absorbed by the semiconductor material<ref>[https://www.eia.gov/Energyexplained/index.cfm?page=solar_photovoltaics U.S. Energy Information Administration]</ref>. The photons transfer energy into the atoms of the semiconductor material and triggers the release of electrons<ref>[http://www.alternative-energy-tutorials.com/energy-articles/solar-cell-turns-photons-into-electrons.html]</ref>. These electrons move to the front surface of the PV cell and create an electrical imbalance, with the surface having a more negative charge than the bottom. The imbalance results in a voltage potential similar to the positive and negative ends of a battery.<ref>[https://www.eia.gov/Energyexplained/index.cfm?page=solar_photovoltaics U.S. Energy Information Administration]</ref> Connecting electrical conductors to the positive and sides of the PV cell creates an electric current and generates electricity<ref>[https://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2002/solarcells NASA]</ref>. |
| + | |||
| + | All existing and proposed solar farms in the central coast use or plant to implement PV technology. | ||
===Fixed panels vs tracking panels=== | ===Fixed panels vs tracking panels=== | ||
===Efficiency=== | ===Efficiency=== | ||
| + | ===Ground mounting=== | ||
==Locations in the Central Coast Region== | ==Locations in the Central Coast Region== | ||
===Existing=== | ===Existing=== | ||
===Proposed=== | ===Proposed=== | ||
| + | ===CSUMB=== | ||
| − | |||
| + | ==Impacts== | ||
| + | ===Economic=== | ||
| + | ===Scenic=== | ||
==Environmental Concerns== | ==Environmental Concerns== | ||
===Endangered and threatened wildlife=== | ===Endangered and threatened wildlife=== | ||
===Land Development=== | ===Land Development=== | ||
Revision as of 22:45, 5 April 2017
This page discusses solar farms in the central coast region.
Contents
Summary
Technology and design
Photovoltaic technology
Solar panels or arrays that converts solar energy directly into electricity implement photovoltaic (PV) technology.
Within each solar panel and array are small units of semiconductor material called PV cells. When sunlight strikes the surface of a PV cell, some photons are absorbed by the semiconductor material[1]. The photons transfer energy into the atoms of the semiconductor material and triggers the release of electrons[2]. These electrons move to the front surface of the PV cell and create an electrical imbalance, with the surface having a more negative charge than the bottom. The imbalance results in a voltage potential similar to the positive and negative ends of a battery.[3] Connecting electrical conductors to the positive and sides of the PV cell creates an electric current and generates electricity[4].
All existing and proposed solar farms in the central coast use or plant to implement PV technology.
Fixed panels vs tracking panels
Efficiency
Ground mounting
Locations in the Central Coast Region
Existing
Proposed
CSUMB
Impacts
Economic
Scenic
Environmental Concerns
Endangered and threatened wildlife
Land Development
Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found
