Going Solar

Flip on a light switch. A light goes on. Electricity powers the bulb. But where does it come from? 

Most electricity comes from fossil fuels. They include natural gas, coal, and oil. Burning these fuels releases gases. They make climate change worse. Plus, fossil fuels will someday run out.

That’s why scientists say people need to switch to renewable energy. The U.S. government set a goal. It plans to use mostly renewable energy by 2035. One source is solar energy. It’s energy from the sun. 

Today, just 4 percent of the U.S.’s electricity comes from solar energy. But that number is growing, says Dr. Destenie Nock. She’s an engineer. She helps cities and towns switch to clean energy like solar.

Solar energy starts with the sun. It uses devices called solar cells. They soak up the sun’s light and heat. They turn the sun’s energy into electrical energy. That electricity then travels along wires. It flows to homes and businesses (see How Solar Farms Work).

Power plants that burn fossil fuels are often far from cities. That can cause problems. In 2021, Hurricane Ida knocked out power lines. That left the city of New Orleans, Louisiana, without electricity for 31 days. 

Solar cells are placed in groups called solar panels. They can be set up almost anywhere. That includes parking lots, fields, rooftops, or floating on lakes. Solar panels can be built closer to communities. That may provide a more reliable source of energy, says Nock.

Solar energy presents both benefits and challenges. Solar panels work only when the sun shines. And they perform best in direct sunlight. Solar panels also need to be at mild temperatures of about 25°C (77°F). If they get too hot, they don’t work as well.

So other renewable energy sources will be needed, experts say. Wind turbines could be used at night, when the wind blows strongest! Hydropower, or electricity produced by moving water, is another option.

Solar energy faces some challenges. Solar panels work only when the sun shines. And they work best in direct sunlight. Solar panels also need to be at mild temperatures. They don’t work as well if they get too hot.

Other renewable energy sources will be needed too. Wind turbines could be used at night. That’s when the wind blows strongest! Hydropower is another option. It makes electricity using moving water.