As energy prices soar and concerns about
climate change grow, more people are choosing the clean, abundant
power of the sun.
Powered on stored sunshine
"The night we hooked up our solar
electrical system," recalls Minneapolis homeowner David
Boyce, "we all stood outside looking at the lights shining
from the windows. That's when the magic of solar power hit
us: the panels just sit there in the sunlight all day, generating
electricity and charging batteries. The sun sets, and we tap
energy as we need it."
Housecleaning inspired by dirty coal
plant
Observing a nearby coal-burning power
plant inspired the Boyces to choose emissions-free solar energy.
"Burning coal to make electricity
emits carbon dioxide (CO2) and mercury,"
David explains. "CO2 is a greenhouse
gas that helps cause global warming. Mercury is a neurotoxin
that poisons our water. Whenever we turned on the lights,
the coal plant had to run. We decided that we had to change
how we got our electricity."
(Photo
by David Boyce)
The Boyces receive more than half the
electricity they need from a modest-sized photovoltaic
array on the roof of their house.
Solar power works in Minnesota
Cold winter temperatures have no effect
on the sun's energy. While the amount of sunlight varies with
the seasons, Minnesotans using solar power can count on receiving
about four-and-one-half hours of good sunlight per day.
Some like it cold
Solar electric panels actually transform
sunlight into electricity most efficiently in the cold.
This solar electric system in Austin, Minnesota, produces
half of the owner's electricity. He plans to double
the system's size.
Every hour, enough sunlight energy
reaches the Earth to meet the world's energy demand
for a whole year.
— U.S. Department of
Energy
Solar's no snowbird
This map shows that Minnesota received
plenty of good sunlight, especially in the south. In
fact, the state receives as much sun as Jacksonville,
Florida.
This exhibition was developed
and produced by the Minnesota
Renewable Energy Society, St. Paul, Minnesota, in
collaboration with the Science
Museum of Minnesota through the Community Partnerships
Serving Science Program. The exhibition is made possible
by the generous support of the National
Science Foundation, Solar Area Partner organizations,
and individual donors.
