Going Solar

Flip on a light switch, and a light goes on. Have you ever wondered where the electricity that powers that light comes from?

Most electricity comes from burning fossil fuels like natural gas, coal, and oil. But this releases gases that contribute to climate change. Plus, fossil fuels will eventually run out.

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 it’s urgent that people switch to renewable energy. The U.S. government set a goal for the country to use mostly renewable energy by 2035. One promising source is solar energy collected from the sun.

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

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. Its light and heat are absorbed by devices called solar cells. They convert the sun’s energy into electrical energy. That electricity then travels along a network of wires to homes and businesses (see How Solar Farms Work).

Power plants that burn fossil fuels are often located far from cities. That can cause problems. In 2021, Hurricane Ida knocked out power lines, causing the city of New Orleans to lose electricity for 31 days.

But solar cells, arranged in groups called solar panels, can be installed almost anywhere: in parking lots or fields, on rooftops, or floating on lakes. Solar panels located closer to communities may provide a more reliable source of energy, says Nock.

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. 

Today renewable energy is more expensive than energy from fossil fuels. But as the country invests more money in renewable sources, the price will go down, says Nock. She thinks the U.S. can get up to 40 percent of its energy from the sun by 2050.

But that will depend on how quickly energy companies build new technology. “A mix of renewable energy sources will be important to make sure everyone can use the electricity they need,” Nock says.

Today renewable energy costs more than energy from fossil fuels. But the country is putting more money toward renewable sources. So the price will go down, Nock says. She thinks the U.S. can get up to 40 percent of its energy from the sun by 2050. But it depends on how quickly energy companies build new technology. “A mix of renewable energy sources will be important to make sure everyone can use the electricity they need,” Nock says.