Annotated Bibliography
Brady, Ray. "Solar Energy Development Environmental Considerations." Solar Energy Development Environmental Considerations. U.S. Government, Bureau of Land Management, Department of the Interior, n.d. Web. 06 Oct. 2014.
This document contains information regarding the effect of solar panels on the environment. It lists consequences to the soil, water, land use, air resources, and even visual impacts to people and animals. It helps my case by providing evidence as to why solar panels on rooftops would be better for the environment than those in fields. This source does not have a date on it, but judging by the sources used from the end of 2013, it must have been published within the last year, which is fairly recent. The intended audience is the government, as the writers are trying to persuade them to allow solar farms in their area while supplying all of the possible pros and cons of installing them in the area. The are no obvious authors of this website, but there are multiple people to contact, with their email addresses and their phone numbers present. One of the contacts listed, Ray Brady, is the head of the National Bureau of Land Management Solar Energy Program, making him very reputable for this website. On this website, there were no biases or particular points of view that colored the content. All of the sources were listed for the website, and all of the pages were very organized and readable.All of the information was factual and free of opinion. The only flaws with the information were that the dates were not present for the publishing of the information, and there is no clear author. The purpose of the website is to provide the government and the public with information about the solar panels being installed in that area. The most valuable thing about this source was that it provided examples of how the environment is negatively affected by solar panels in fields, just like I am trying to reduce.
Spross, Jeff. "Putting Solar Panels On School Roofs Could Dramatically Increase America’s Solar Capacity." ThinkProgress RSS. Center for American Progress, 18 Sept. 2014. Web. 09 Oct. 2014.
This source provides me with so many great arguments for implementing solar panels on the roof of our school. For example, if every school implemented solar panels, it would generate enough energy to power one million homes across the country. The source provided me with a lot of numbers as well, showing how many schools nationwide have implemented solar panels, and how much money they are saving the schools. This article was published on September 18, 2014 making it very relevant. The intended audience of this article is the public, as it is trying to educate the public about the productivity of solar panel usage and the need to implement them across the nation. The author, Jeff Spross, does not seem all that credible, as he does not have a clear background in this field, but he does have contact information listed. He is, however, a climate reporter for ThinkProgress. The organization of the article was clear and there are no biases in the article. All of his statements are followed up by number evidence, however no sources are listed. The overall purpose of this article is to inform the public and try to persuade the public to implement solar panels on the roofs of school buildings. The most valuable part of the source was the numerical evidence provided by the author.
Locke, Susannah. "How Does Solar Power Work?" Scientific American Global RSS. Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2008. Web. 08 Oct. 2014.
This source provided me with ample information about how a solar panel works. It describes that it works by exciting the electrons in the phosphorus and boron doped sheets of silicon, creating an electric current throughout the sheet. These electrons, because they are excited, are able to move around more freely, bumbling into other electrons and exciting them. This flow of electrons creates electricity that we are able to collect and use. This information, although from 2008, still applies. Most of the information they talk about exactly matches information I have read from more current sources. This information is from an online magazine article, so its intended audience is the general public. They are trying to educate everyone who reads the article on how solar panels work, so that these popular energy sources won't be as foreign to people. The author of this article, Susannah Locke has her B.S. in molecular biology which she got at Haverford College. After this, she was a biology research technician at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and then went on to become the editor and reporter of many scientific organizations such as Discover, Popular Science, Scientific American, and Vox.com. There is contact information listed for her. There were no biases in the article, just facts about the process of solar panels and how they work. Sources, however, were not listed. That is the one major flaw in this article. Her information is supported by evidence and it is all clear and readable. I am also sure that the information was reviewed by an editor, as it was published by this magazine. The most valuable thing about this source is that it provided me with a clear process of how solar power works, and I was able to verify all of the facts with other sources.
Anderson, David. "Positive & Negative Effects of Solar Energy." Home Guides. Demand Media, n.d. Web. 13 Oct. 2014.
This source provided me with many positive and negative effects of using solar panels. For starters, it is a much cleaner source in regards to carbon emissions, however, if not disposed of properly, solar panels can cause serious damage to the environment. They contain hazardous materials that can be detrimental to our health and the health of other organisms around us. It also brought into account the visual aspect of solar panels. Although most people seem to like the look of solar panels, as it evokes thought of a greener and more efficient lifestyle, others cannot stand them interrupting the view. This is a very big obstacle to get around, as people's opinions, no matter how valid, still count. They still get a say in what they want to (or don't want to) look at. This source does not include when it was published, but judging by its references (from late 2013) it had to have been published within the last year, which is recent. The intended audience is the general public, as this was published on a public website for home improvement. The author, David Anderson, is currently as writer for Green Alliance, and has been writing about green energy and the environment for 7 years now. In college, he studied environmental policy and law at UNH. He does not have his contact information listed on this particular article, but it is not hard to find online if you need to make contact with him. This article is most helpful because the author lists both positive and negative effects for each area. In this way, he is able to steer clear of any biases. The only major flaw in his writing is that his points are not heavily backed up with evidence. He could have done a much better job with supporting his points. However, all of his information matched up with information that I already knew was true, so I know this is reliable information. I am unsure, though, whether or not this information has been reviewed. His purpose for writing this article seems to be to inform the public about all effects (negative and positive) of solar panels.
McFarlane, Sarah. “Solar energy could dominate electricity by 2050: IEA.” Reuters. Issues & Controversies. Infobase Learning, 29 Sept. 2014.Web. 13 Oct. 2014.
This source provided me with information regarding energy in the future. It states that because prices on the equipment used to make solar panels is beginning to decline, in the future solar power will generate a big portion of the world’s energy. Photovoltaic cells will generate about 16% and solar thermal electricity will generate another 11%, combining to make 25% of the world’s energy by the year 2050. This information was published 2 weeks ago (September 29th), making it very recent. The intended audience is the public, as it is written to inform. The author, Sarah McFarlane, is a journalist for Thomson Reuters, but the article does not list any other information, not even contact information. There are no biases present in the article, as it only consists of numerical data about future solar energy. All of the content is readable and organized, but could be supported with some more evidence. The article has all been reviewed by the editor, David Holmes. The most valuable thing about this source is that it proves that solar energy is the up and coming energy source. It helps my argument about getting solar panels on our school, as it is the way of the future and solar is not going anywhere!
Knier, Gil. "How Do Photovoltaics Work?" NASA Science. NASA, 18 Dec. 2002. Web. 14 Oct. 2014.
This source discussed the history of photovoltaic cells and other ways they can be used outside of commercial solar panels. This method for making energy was first noticed in the mid 19th Century, but were not used for another 100 years for powering spacecraft. About ten years after this use, prices began to decrease and other applications for photovoltaics began to spring up. The article was produced in 2002, but for this use, its currency doesn’t matter. The history information doesn’t change. The author, Gil Knier, is a scientist as NASA. His contact information is not provided right on this page, but it is available elsewhere on the website. His information is supported by many other websites I have seen, and it is strictly factual and clear of any biases. The content is well organized and readable (including many helpful pictures), but there are no sources shown for where he got his information. Being published on NASA’s website, I assume that the content has been reviewed, but I have no way of knowing for sure. The purpose of this is to inform the reader of how photovoltaics work, and helping them also to understand the history behind it all. The most valuable thing I gained from this source is the history of photovoltaics, because before seeing this article I was unsure of where they even originated from.
Shahan, Zachary. "Which Solar Panels Are Most Efficient?" CleanTechnica. N.p., 2 Feb. 2014. Web. 15 Oct. 2014.
Shahan wrote this article to compare different solar cell types and which are better for different scenarios. He says that if you only have a small amount of space for the panels, then you are better off going with the more efficient brand, as you will make a substantial amount of energy compared to the cheap brands. However, if you have room for a lot of panels, it may in certain situations be smarter to buy the cheaper panels, as they you will pay them off quicker. This article was published in February of this year, so this information should still be true. The intended audience of this article is those who are looking to implement solar panels in their home or business, however, Shahan is not trying to get you to buy anything. He is only providing the reader with evidence to inform them of different options. Zachary Shahan is known as an expert on energy. He is currently the director/editor for CleanTechnica, Solar Love, EV Obsession, and Planet Save. Shahan has a B.S. in environmental studies and sociology, and a Masters in city and regional planning. All of his contact information is easily accessible, making him seem very reliable. The entire content of this article was clear, well organized, and very readable. His facts on the efficiency of each solar panel were supported by evidence, and there were not any obvious biases present. Two flaws in the article are that there are no sources listed, and it is not evident whether or not it has been reviewed. With just those two things as negatives, I would say that this source is reliable. The most valuable thing I got from this source as the comparisons between solar cells and their efficiencies.
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Curtis, Brent. "Towns Looking for Solar Farm Standards : Rutland Herald Online."The Rutland Herald RSS. N.p., 5 Oct. 2014. Web. 15 Oct. 2014.
This article, by Brent Curtis discusses different town’s plans for solar farms and where they are located. Mostly, he talks about Shelburne, as they are trying to implement some rules about where solar farms can be located. Rutland Town recently set some rules in place in order to protect the environment and take into account people’s opinions about where future solar farms are put in place. Shelburne is using Rutland Town’s guidelines as a start for creating their own rules. The article was published on October 5, only 10 days ago. For being this recent, it must be the most current information out right now for this issue. It was written to inform the public of this issue that a nearby town is running into while trying to “go green”. This article does not include Curtis’ background, but it does provide his email if you wish to contact him. There may be a little bit of bias present, as the author provides evidence that pushes for solar panels, but it is not a heavily one sided argument. Sources are not directly listed, but the author does use some members of the Rutland Town Select as key sources of information, along with the Public Service Board. All of the information Curtis includes is backed up by evidence and the content is very organized and readable. One flaw in the article is that there is no evidence that it has been reviewed by anyone. The purpose of the article is to inform the public of local issues, and teach them about a resolution that some other towns like Rutland Town have already implemented. The most valuable thing about this source is that it gave me information about what local towns are already doing regarding solar panels. This can help me with my argument for solar panels here at our school.
"Brighter Future: A Study on Solar in U.S. Schools Report." Brighter Future: A Study on Solar in U.S. Schools Report. Solar Energy Industries Association, The Solar Foundation, n.d., 18 Sep. 2014. Web. 20 Oct. 2014.
This article discusses all about solar energy in schools nationwide. It provided me with great charts and graphs about the current status of solar in schools and the projected costs, savings, and energy production if all schools across the country utilize solar panels. It states that by the end of 2014, it is expected that the total solar electric capacity will near 20 GW which is enough to power over 4 million average U.S. households! In just three years, solar power in the country has more than quadrupled! The article was published in September of 2012, making it very recent, and all of the charts and graphs include data from within the last year. The intended audience is for any school that does not currently have any solar panels in place, as this article is more to persuade all large, capable schools around the country to put solar panels in place. There is no author listed, but it was published by The Solar Foundation, which is an organization dedicated to increasing the amount of solar energy production in the United States. Also, there is an email listed in case anyone needs to contact them. I would say that it is definitely biased because the writer wants people to install solar panels and they think it would benefit society a lot. However, all of their points are backed up with a plethora of data and charts. The entirety of the article is organized and readable, but one flaw is that it is too long. A lot of the information could have been summarized better to ensure that the reader does not get bored while reading it. Besides this, it is a great source and it even has all of the sources listed in a bibliography at the end! The most valuable thing I gained from using this source is the charts and graphs that are used. They will all be very helpful when putting together my final presentation.
"SEIA." Vermont Solar. Solar Energy Industries Association, n.d. Web. 22 Oct. 2014.
This source provides me with a lot of information regarding solar in Vermont. It states that there has been a 39% decrease on the cost of solar from 2010 to 2013, and has steadily been decreasing even more since then. This is great news for me, because that means by the time of installation in about 4 years, the price of solar panels and installation will be even cheaper! It also discusses all of the ways that Vermont has progressed with solar in just the past couple of years. For example, at 39 MW of solar in 2013, Vermont ranked 24th in the nation for solar capacity. This 39 MW is enough electricity to power 6,700 homes in Vermont. There is no information from 2014, making me believe that the article had to have been posted in 2013. Being within the past year, this information is pretty current. The intended audience is the general public: those who wish to see Vermont’s progress and current position with solar energy. There is no author listed for this source, but the publisher, Solar Energy Industries Association, is a nonprofit trade association that has been around for 40 years now working with the production of solar power in the United States. There are no biases present in this article, as the information is only facts and statistics about the growth of solar in Vermont, and the percent decrease in the cost of solar. The sources of the information are listed at the end of the article, and they are all from government websites. The information is organized and clear and all of it is supported by evidence. The purpose of this particular article is to inform readers of the progress Vermont has made with solar power over the past few years so that they have more information if considering implementing solar panels themselves. The most valuable thing about this source is that it provides me with backup about how the state is treating solar energy and it lists many different projects around the state that currently produce solar. Finally, it informed me that solar costs are decreasing dramatically each year, which I was unsure of before reading this.
LaMonica, Martin. "Winter, Snow, and Solar Panels: A Mixed Forecast - CNET." CNET. N.p., 8 Feb. 2011. Web. 23 Oct. 2014.
This article is all about debunking what most people think about the effects of winter on solar production. Most people believe that during winter months solar production is decreased because of the cold weather, and that summer is great for production because it is so hot. This is totally untrue, says the article. Solar panels actually perform exceptionally well in cold weather, as many people have seen much more production/hour on cold, clear days than would ever be possible for them to produce on hot, clear days. This is because with the decrease in temperature, the voltage increases. This higher voltage combined with the same steady current as in the hot summer months produces a higher wattage. This seems backwards to what we all instinctively think would happen, but many sources say the exact same thing! This article was published in 2011, making it current because none of these facts would have changed since then. The same materials for solar production are used as were used in 2011. The intended audience of this article is the general public, as it serves to inform any reader of the peculiar facts about solar panels and how temperature is indeed a factor of their energy production. The author, Martin LaMonica, is a well educated and very experienced man. He is currently the national correspondent for Xconomy and has previously worked for ABC News, Business Week, and CNET. His main focus if reporting on energy and technology. His strong, professional background enhances my belief that his writing are very reliable. This information is well organized and readable. All of this information is backed up with evidence including personal experiences. There is no evident bias in the article, as he is just stating what he has personally experienced. He is not trying to sell anything, just trying to inform readers of what he has found out. The only major flaw is that he does not provide a list of sources of where he got his information, but a couple facts are cited right in the article. The most valuable thing I attained from this article is his personal experience with solar panels and how their energy production increases as the weather begins to get colder.
"Myth Busting: Winter And Solar Power - Energy Matters." Energy Matters. Energy Matters, 21 June 2012. Web. 24 Oct. 2014.
This article back up the information I found in the previous article. It mentions the fact that indeed temperature does matter when it comes to a solar panel’s energy production. For instance, for every degree over standard testing conditions (25ºC), a solar panel’s output is reduced by -0.46%. This change becomes big when the solar panels are in places like Texas, New Mexico, and even North Carolina, as temperatures are frequently above that standard temperature. Cold weather with a clear sky is the best situation for maximum solar panel production, which makes me believe that Rutland indeed is a great place for solar production. Granted, the short days in the winter negatively affect the system, but the good may outweigh the bad in this situation. The article was posted two years ago, in June of 2012, which is pretty recent information. The intended audience for this article is the general public, to inform them of the effects that temperature has on solar energy production. Particularly, this might be directed to those people who live in very hot climates, where the temperature is steadily above 25ºC. The author is not listed for this article, but the publisher, Energy Matters, has a strong background in making technology for clean energy production. Their technology is used by over 80% of renewable energy installation companies nationwide. I did not sense any bias while reading this article, however the only evidence that it has, refers to Australia. Also, no sources were listed and there is no evidence that it has been reviewed by anyone. The most valuable thing I gained from this source was the clear equation of how heat affects the panels. This helps me in my argument for getting solar panels here, as there are not as many days during the school year when the temperature is above 25ºC as there are in other locations around the country.
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Wang, Ucilia. "Replace Your Roof And Generate Electricity From Solar Shingles." Forbes. Forbes Magazine, 18 June 2012. Web. 27 Oct. 2014.
This source was about a new technology for those who dislike the look of solar panels on their roof. The alternative are solar shingles. These shingles are a two for one, they incorporate solar cells into roof shingles. So, just as this one family did, if you need your roof done but also would like to potentially go solar, this is a great option for you! This particular family that has installed the shingles using a company called Dow’s Solar is expected to cut down their electricity bill each month by two thirds. That is a lot of savings! The system will be completely paid back for in 15 years, meaning that in the proceeding years the family will make money. This article was published in mid 2012, when the solar shingle business was just starting up. I have not seen many roofs with solar shingles on them in the past, so the business must not be as popular as it had expected to be for some reason. To me, it seems like this is a great solution to the “look” factor, as the appearance of a house is not affected very much by these shingles. The intended audience is anyone looking to be more energy efficient with their home. The author of this article, Ucilia Wang, is a freelance journalist about green energy and reducing our carbon footprint. She also write for the MIT Technology Review and The Wall Street Journal. There is contact information available for her. She writes from the perspective of someone who thinks green energy is the right way to go, making it very likely that she has some bias towards the subject. She supplies us with the information on where she got all of her information, and she has evidence (personal experience) to back up her facts. The information does now have any indication of whether or not it has been reviewed. The purpose of the article is to inform readers of new options out there for green energy. She does not try to convince you to buy anything, she is only trying to let people know about a new option. The most valuable thing I gained from this source is the new way to incorporate solar energy without ugly solar panels poking out of the roof, because that is one issue I will have to find a solution for.
"Environmental Impacts of Solar Power." Union of Concerned Scientists. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Oct. 2014.
This article talks about the environmental effects of going solar. First, it says that land use is affected, but this is only when the panels are not placed in proper locations. However, by placing the panels on roofs of homes and commercial buildings, land use is no longer a problem. Next, it talks about water use and how water can be wasted in the making of the solar panels. This water waste is important to take into account because the places with the highest solar energy potential are in very dry climates, like the midwest for example. Another environmental impact solar panels have are the hazardous waste that is produced in the production of them. This waste though is recycled and I am sure in about ten years someone will come up with an effective, environmentally friendly way to deal with this waste. The last environmental factor this source goes into detail about are the greenhouse gas emissions that are caused by the transportation of materials, manufacturing, and installment of the panels. However, these emissions are far less than that of natural gases and other means of energy production. I am unable to tell how current this source is, as it doesn’t include a date or an author, but judging by the list of sources they have it must have been published during or after 2012, which would make it pretty recent. The intended audience is presumably the general public looking to be informed of the environmental impact solar panels cause. There were no obvious biases, as there was information supporting solar panel production and against it. The information was all very organized and readable. It was also supported by evidence and included links to other sources. There was no evidence that the article itself has been reviewed by anyone, though. The purpose was definitely to inform the public of the pros and cons of this new technology. The most valuable thing that I gained from this source was definitely the evidence provided for how much lower solar panel’s CO2 emissions are compared to the emissions of natural gas.
Rutland, The Solar Capital of Vermont. "Rutland The Solar Capital of Vermont Project Plan." (n.d): n. pag. Greenmountainpower.com. Green Mountain Power, 21 Aug. 2912. Web. 30 Oct. 2014.
This article was created by Green Mountain Power to outline their plans for making Rutland the solar capital of Vermont. It contains the five year plan of their potential endeavors for making Vermont more of a "green" state. Examples are included in this plan, such as more efficient street lighting and brownfield development. It states that by the end of 2017 this plan is expected to be complete, making Rutland the solar capital of Vermont. It was published on August 21, 2012 when this vision was first beginning. It was rested for anyone in Rutland County interested in learning about the solar initiative by Green Mountain Power. The publisher, Green Mountain Power, is reliable because the entire article focuses on their own plan for the Rutland Solar Initiative. Therefore, this is the best source to get the information from since it is all their own. The document is well organized and readable, and does not include any evident biases. Its purpose is to inform the public about GMP's plans and hopefully get everyone interested and on board with what they intend to do with our city. The most valuable thing that I gained from this source is the evidence of their five year plan and the potential initiative they will undergo other than solar panels, in order to save energy and the environment.
Brady, Ray. "Solar Energy Development Environmental Considerations." Solar Energy Development Environmental Considerations. U.S. Government, Bureau of Land Management, Department of the Interior, n.d. Web. 06 Oct. 2014.
This document contains information regarding the effect of solar panels on the environment. It lists consequences to the soil, water, land use, air resources, and even visual impacts to people and animals. It helps my case by providing evidence as to why solar panels on rooftops would be better for the environment than those in fields. This source does not have a date on it, but judging by the sources used from the end of 2013, it must have been published within the last year, which is fairly recent. The intended audience is the government, as the writers are trying to persuade them to allow solar farms in their area while supplying all of the possible pros and cons of installing them in the area. The are no obvious authors of this website, but there are multiple people to contact, with their email addresses and their phone numbers present. One of the contacts listed, Ray Brady, is the head of the National Bureau of Land Management Solar Energy Program, making him very reputable for this website. On this website, there were no biases or particular points of view that colored the content. All of the sources were listed for the website, and all of the pages were very organized and readable.All of the information was factual and free of opinion. The only flaws with the information were that the dates were not present for the publishing of the information, and there is no clear author. The purpose of the website is to provide the government and the public with information about the solar panels being installed in that area. The most valuable thing about this source was that it provided examples of how the environment is negatively affected by solar panels in fields, just like I am trying to reduce.
Spross, Jeff. "Putting Solar Panels On School Roofs Could Dramatically Increase America’s Solar Capacity." ThinkProgress RSS. Center for American Progress, 18 Sept. 2014. Web. 09 Oct. 2014.
This source provides me with so many great arguments for implementing solar panels on the roof of our school. For example, if every school implemented solar panels, it would generate enough energy to power one million homes across the country. The source provided me with a lot of numbers as well, showing how many schools nationwide have implemented solar panels, and how much money they are saving the schools. This article was published on September 18, 2014 making it very relevant. The intended audience of this article is the public, as it is trying to educate the public about the productivity of solar panel usage and the need to implement them across the nation. The author, Jeff Spross, does not seem all that credible, as he does not have a clear background in this field, but he does have contact information listed. He is, however, a climate reporter for ThinkProgress. The organization of the article was clear and there are no biases in the article. All of his statements are followed up by number evidence, however no sources are listed. The overall purpose of this article is to inform the public and try to persuade the public to implement solar panels on the roofs of school buildings. The most valuable part of the source was the numerical evidence provided by the author.
Locke, Susannah. "How Does Solar Power Work?" Scientific American Global RSS. Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2008. Web. 08 Oct. 2014.
This source provided me with ample information about how a solar panel works. It describes that it works by exciting the electrons in the phosphorus and boron doped sheets of silicon, creating an electric current throughout the sheet. These electrons, because they are excited, are able to move around more freely, bumbling into other electrons and exciting them. This flow of electrons creates electricity that we are able to collect and use. This information, although from 2008, still applies. Most of the information they talk about exactly matches information I have read from more current sources. This information is from an online magazine article, so its intended audience is the general public. They are trying to educate everyone who reads the article on how solar panels work, so that these popular energy sources won't be as foreign to people. The author of this article, Susannah Locke has her B.S. in molecular biology which she got at Haverford College. After this, she was a biology research technician at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and then went on to become the editor and reporter of many scientific organizations such as Discover, Popular Science, Scientific American, and Vox.com. There is contact information listed for her. There were no biases in the article, just facts about the process of solar panels and how they work. Sources, however, were not listed. That is the one major flaw in this article. Her information is supported by evidence and it is all clear and readable. I am also sure that the information was reviewed by an editor, as it was published by this magazine. The most valuable thing about this source is that it provided me with a clear process of how solar power works, and I was able to verify all of the facts with other sources.
Anderson, David. "Positive & Negative Effects of Solar Energy." Home Guides. Demand Media, n.d. Web. 13 Oct. 2014.
This source provided me with many positive and negative effects of using solar panels. For starters, it is a much cleaner source in regards to carbon emissions, however, if not disposed of properly, solar panels can cause serious damage to the environment. They contain hazardous materials that can be detrimental to our health and the health of other organisms around us. It also brought into account the visual aspect of solar panels. Although most people seem to like the look of solar panels, as it evokes thought of a greener and more efficient lifestyle, others cannot stand them interrupting the view. This is a very big obstacle to get around, as people's opinions, no matter how valid, still count. They still get a say in what they want to (or don't want to) look at. This source does not include when it was published, but judging by its references (from late 2013) it had to have been published within the last year, which is recent. The intended audience is the general public, as this was published on a public website for home improvement. The author, David Anderson, is currently as writer for Green Alliance, and has been writing about green energy and the environment for 7 years now. In college, he studied environmental policy and law at UNH. He does not have his contact information listed on this particular article, but it is not hard to find online if you need to make contact with him. This article is most helpful because the author lists both positive and negative effects for each area. In this way, he is able to steer clear of any biases. The only major flaw in his writing is that his points are not heavily backed up with evidence. He could have done a much better job with supporting his points. However, all of his information matched up with information that I already knew was true, so I know this is reliable information. I am unsure, though, whether or not this information has been reviewed. His purpose for writing this article seems to be to inform the public about all effects (negative and positive) of solar panels.
McFarlane, Sarah. “Solar energy could dominate electricity by 2050: IEA.” Reuters. Issues & Controversies. Infobase Learning, 29 Sept. 2014.Web. 13 Oct. 2014.
This source provided me with information regarding energy in the future. It states that because prices on the equipment used to make solar panels is beginning to decline, in the future solar power will generate a big portion of the world’s energy. Photovoltaic cells will generate about 16% and solar thermal electricity will generate another 11%, combining to make 25% of the world’s energy by the year 2050. This information was published 2 weeks ago (September 29th), making it very recent. The intended audience is the public, as it is written to inform. The author, Sarah McFarlane, is a journalist for Thomson Reuters, but the article does not list any other information, not even contact information. There are no biases present in the article, as it only consists of numerical data about future solar energy. All of the content is readable and organized, but could be supported with some more evidence. The article has all been reviewed by the editor, David Holmes. The most valuable thing about this source is that it proves that solar energy is the up and coming energy source. It helps my argument about getting solar panels on our school, as it is the way of the future and solar is not going anywhere!
Knier, Gil. "How Do Photovoltaics Work?" NASA Science. NASA, 18 Dec. 2002. Web. 14 Oct. 2014.
This source discussed the history of photovoltaic cells and other ways they can be used outside of commercial solar panels. This method for making energy was first noticed in the mid 19th Century, but were not used for another 100 years for powering spacecraft. About ten years after this use, prices began to decrease and other applications for photovoltaics began to spring up. The article was produced in 2002, but for this use, its currency doesn’t matter. The history information doesn’t change. The author, Gil Knier, is a scientist as NASA. His contact information is not provided right on this page, but it is available elsewhere on the website. His information is supported by many other websites I have seen, and it is strictly factual and clear of any biases. The content is well organized and readable (including many helpful pictures), but there are no sources shown for where he got his information. Being published on NASA’s website, I assume that the content has been reviewed, but I have no way of knowing for sure. The purpose of this is to inform the reader of how photovoltaics work, and helping them also to understand the history behind it all. The most valuable thing I gained from this source is the history of photovoltaics, because before seeing this article I was unsure of where they even originated from.
Shahan, Zachary. "Which Solar Panels Are Most Efficient?" CleanTechnica. N.p., 2 Feb. 2014. Web. 15 Oct. 2014.
Shahan wrote this article to compare different solar cell types and which are better for different scenarios. He says that if you only have a small amount of space for the panels, then you are better off going with the more efficient brand, as you will make a substantial amount of energy compared to the cheap brands. However, if you have room for a lot of panels, it may in certain situations be smarter to buy the cheaper panels, as they you will pay them off quicker. This article was published in February of this year, so this information should still be true. The intended audience of this article is those who are looking to implement solar panels in their home or business, however, Shahan is not trying to get you to buy anything. He is only providing the reader with evidence to inform them of different options. Zachary Shahan is known as an expert on energy. He is currently the director/editor for CleanTechnica, Solar Love, EV Obsession, and Planet Save. Shahan has a B.S. in environmental studies and sociology, and a Masters in city and regional planning. All of his contact information is easily accessible, making him seem very reliable. The entire content of this article was clear, well organized, and very readable. His facts on the efficiency of each solar panel were supported by evidence, and there were not any obvious biases present. Two flaws in the article are that there are no sources listed, and it is not evident whether or not it has been reviewed. With just those two things as negatives, I would say that this source is reliable. The most valuable thing I got from this source as the comparisons between solar cells and their efficiencies.
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Curtis, Brent. "Towns Looking for Solar Farm Standards : Rutland Herald Online."The Rutland Herald RSS. N.p., 5 Oct. 2014. Web. 15 Oct. 2014.
This article, by Brent Curtis discusses different town’s plans for solar farms and where they are located. Mostly, he talks about Shelburne, as they are trying to implement some rules about where solar farms can be located. Rutland Town recently set some rules in place in order to protect the environment and take into account people’s opinions about where future solar farms are put in place. Shelburne is using Rutland Town’s guidelines as a start for creating their own rules. The article was published on October 5, only 10 days ago. For being this recent, it must be the most current information out right now for this issue. It was written to inform the public of this issue that a nearby town is running into while trying to “go green”. This article does not include Curtis’ background, but it does provide his email if you wish to contact him. There may be a little bit of bias present, as the author provides evidence that pushes for solar panels, but it is not a heavily one sided argument. Sources are not directly listed, but the author does use some members of the Rutland Town Select as key sources of information, along with the Public Service Board. All of the information Curtis includes is backed up by evidence and the content is very organized and readable. One flaw in the article is that there is no evidence that it has been reviewed by anyone. The purpose of the article is to inform the public of local issues, and teach them about a resolution that some other towns like Rutland Town have already implemented. The most valuable thing about this source is that it gave me information about what local towns are already doing regarding solar panels. This can help me with my argument for solar panels here at our school.
"Brighter Future: A Study on Solar in U.S. Schools Report." Brighter Future: A Study on Solar in U.S. Schools Report. Solar Energy Industries Association, The Solar Foundation, n.d., 18 Sep. 2014. Web. 20 Oct. 2014.
This article discusses all about solar energy in schools nationwide. It provided me with great charts and graphs about the current status of solar in schools and the projected costs, savings, and energy production if all schools across the country utilize solar panels. It states that by the end of 2014, it is expected that the total solar electric capacity will near 20 GW which is enough to power over 4 million average U.S. households! In just three years, solar power in the country has more than quadrupled! The article was published in September of 2012, making it very recent, and all of the charts and graphs include data from within the last year. The intended audience is for any school that does not currently have any solar panels in place, as this article is more to persuade all large, capable schools around the country to put solar panels in place. There is no author listed, but it was published by The Solar Foundation, which is an organization dedicated to increasing the amount of solar energy production in the United States. Also, there is an email listed in case anyone needs to contact them. I would say that it is definitely biased because the writer wants people to install solar panels and they think it would benefit society a lot. However, all of their points are backed up with a plethora of data and charts. The entirety of the article is organized and readable, but one flaw is that it is too long. A lot of the information could have been summarized better to ensure that the reader does not get bored while reading it. Besides this, it is a great source and it even has all of the sources listed in a bibliography at the end! The most valuable thing I gained from using this source is the charts and graphs that are used. They will all be very helpful when putting together my final presentation.
"SEIA." Vermont Solar. Solar Energy Industries Association, n.d. Web. 22 Oct. 2014.
This source provides me with a lot of information regarding solar in Vermont. It states that there has been a 39% decrease on the cost of solar from 2010 to 2013, and has steadily been decreasing even more since then. This is great news for me, because that means by the time of installation in about 4 years, the price of solar panels and installation will be even cheaper! It also discusses all of the ways that Vermont has progressed with solar in just the past couple of years. For example, at 39 MW of solar in 2013, Vermont ranked 24th in the nation for solar capacity. This 39 MW is enough electricity to power 6,700 homes in Vermont. There is no information from 2014, making me believe that the article had to have been posted in 2013. Being within the past year, this information is pretty current. The intended audience is the general public: those who wish to see Vermont’s progress and current position with solar energy. There is no author listed for this source, but the publisher, Solar Energy Industries Association, is a nonprofit trade association that has been around for 40 years now working with the production of solar power in the United States. There are no biases present in this article, as the information is only facts and statistics about the growth of solar in Vermont, and the percent decrease in the cost of solar. The sources of the information are listed at the end of the article, and they are all from government websites. The information is organized and clear and all of it is supported by evidence. The purpose of this particular article is to inform readers of the progress Vermont has made with solar power over the past few years so that they have more information if considering implementing solar panels themselves. The most valuable thing about this source is that it provides me with backup about how the state is treating solar energy and it lists many different projects around the state that currently produce solar. Finally, it informed me that solar costs are decreasing dramatically each year, which I was unsure of before reading this.
LaMonica, Martin. "Winter, Snow, and Solar Panels: A Mixed Forecast - CNET." CNET. N.p., 8 Feb. 2011. Web. 23 Oct. 2014.
This article is all about debunking what most people think about the effects of winter on solar production. Most people believe that during winter months solar production is decreased because of the cold weather, and that summer is great for production because it is so hot. This is totally untrue, says the article. Solar panels actually perform exceptionally well in cold weather, as many people have seen much more production/hour on cold, clear days than would ever be possible for them to produce on hot, clear days. This is because with the decrease in temperature, the voltage increases. This higher voltage combined with the same steady current as in the hot summer months produces a higher wattage. This seems backwards to what we all instinctively think would happen, but many sources say the exact same thing! This article was published in 2011, making it current because none of these facts would have changed since then. The same materials for solar production are used as were used in 2011. The intended audience of this article is the general public, as it serves to inform any reader of the peculiar facts about solar panels and how temperature is indeed a factor of their energy production. The author, Martin LaMonica, is a well educated and very experienced man. He is currently the national correspondent for Xconomy and has previously worked for ABC News, Business Week, and CNET. His main focus if reporting on energy and technology. His strong, professional background enhances my belief that his writing are very reliable. This information is well organized and readable. All of this information is backed up with evidence including personal experiences. There is no evident bias in the article, as he is just stating what he has personally experienced. He is not trying to sell anything, just trying to inform readers of what he has found out. The only major flaw is that he does not provide a list of sources of where he got his information, but a couple facts are cited right in the article. The most valuable thing I attained from this article is his personal experience with solar panels and how their energy production increases as the weather begins to get colder.
"Myth Busting: Winter And Solar Power - Energy Matters." Energy Matters. Energy Matters, 21 June 2012. Web. 24 Oct. 2014.
This article back up the information I found in the previous article. It mentions the fact that indeed temperature does matter when it comes to a solar panel’s energy production. For instance, for every degree over standard testing conditions (25ºC), a solar panel’s output is reduced by -0.46%. This change becomes big when the solar panels are in places like Texas, New Mexico, and even North Carolina, as temperatures are frequently above that standard temperature. Cold weather with a clear sky is the best situation for maximum solar panel production, which makes me believe that Rutland indeed is a great place for solar production. Granted, the short days in the winter negatively affect the system, but the good may outweigh the bad in this situation. The article was posted two years ago, in June of 2012, which is pretty recent information. The intended audience for this article is the general public, to inform them of the effects that temperature has on solar energy production. Particularly, this might be directed to those people who live in very hot climates, where the temperature is steadily above 25ºC. The author is not listed for this article, but the publisher, Energy Matters, has a strong background in making technology for clean energy production. Their technology is used by over 80% of renewable energy installation companies nationwide. I did not sense any bias while reading this article, however the only evidence that it has, refers to Australia. Also, no sources were listed and there is no evidence that it has been reviewed by anyone. The most valuable thing I gained from this source was the clear equation of how heat affects the panels. This helps me in my argument for getting solar panels here, as there are not as many days during the school year when the temperature is above 25ºC as there are in other locations around the country.
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Wang, Ucilia. "Replace Your Roof And Generate Electricity From Solar Shingles." Forbes. Forbes Magazine, 18 June 2012. Web. 27 Oct. 2014.
This source was about a new technology for those who dislike the look of solar panels on their roof. The alternative are solar shingles. These shingles are a two for one, they incorporate solar cells into roof shingles. So, just as this one family did, if you need your roof done but also would like to potentially go solar, this is a great option for you! This particular family that has installed the shingles using a company called Dow’s Solar is expected to cut down their electricity bill each month by two thirds. That is a lot of savings! The system will be completely paid back for in 15 years, meaning that in the proceeding years the family will make money. This article was published in mid 2012, when the solar shingle business was just starting up. I have not seen many roofs with solar shingles on them in the past, so the business must not be as popular as it had expected to be for some reason. To me, it seems like this is a great solution to the “look” factor, as the appearance of a house is not affected very much by these shingles. The intended audience is anyone looking to be more energy efficient with their home. The author of this article, Ucilia Wang, is a freelance journalist about green energy and reducing our carbon footprint. She also write for the MIT Technology Review and The Wall Street Journal. There is contact information available for her. She writes from the perspective of someone who thinks green energy is the right way to go, making it very likely that she has some bias towards the subject. She supplies us with the information on where she got all of her information, and she has evidence (personal experience) to back up her facts. The information does now have any indication of whether or not it has been reviewed. The purpose of the article is to inform readers of new options out there for green energy. She does not try to convince you to buy anything, she is only trying to let people know about a new option. The most valuable thing I gained from this source is the new way to incorporate solar energy without ugly solar panels poking out of the roof, because that is one issue I will have to find a solution for.
"Environmental Impacts of Solar Power." Union of Concerned Scientists. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Oct. 2014.
This article talks about the environmental effects of going solar. First, it says that land use is affected, but this is only when the panels are not placed in proper locations. However, by placing the panels on roofs of homes and commercial buildings, land use is no longer a problem. Next, it talks about water use and how water can be wasted in the making of the solar panels. This water waste is important to take into account because the places with the highest solar energy potential are in very dry climates, like the midwest for example. Another environmental impact solar panels have are the hazardous waste that is produced in the production of them. This waste though is recycled and I am sure in about ten years someone will come up with an effective, environmentally friendly way to deal with this waste. The last environmental factor this source goes into detail about are the greenhouse gas emissions that are caused by the transportation of materials, manufacturing, and installment of the panels. However, these emissions are far less than that of natural gases and other means of energy production. I am unable to tell how current this source is, as it doesn’t include a date or an author, but judging by the list of sources they have it must have been published during or after 2012, which would make it pretty recent. The intended audience is presumably the general public looking to be informed of the environmental impact solar panels cause. There were no obvious biases, as there was information supporting solar panel production and against it. The information was all very organized and readable. It was also supported by evidence and included links to other sources. There was no evidence that the article itself has been reviewed by anyone, though. The purpose was definitely to inform the public of the pros and cons of this new technology. The most valuable thing that I gained from this source was definitely the evidence provided for how much lower solar panel’s CO2 emissions are compared to the emissions of natural gas.
Rutland, The Solar Capital of Vermont. "Rutland The Solar Capital of Vermont Project Plan." (n.d): n. pag. Greenmountainpower.com. Green Mountain Power, 21 Aug. 2912. Web. 30 Oct. 2014.
This article was created by Green Mountain Power to outline their plans for making Rutland the solar capital of Vermont. It contains the five year plan of their potential endeavors for making Vermont more of a "green" state. Examples are included in this plan, such as more efficient street lighting and brownfield development. It states that by the end of 2017 this plan is expected to be complete, making Rutland the solar capital of Vermont. It was published on August 21, 2012 when this vision was first beginning. It was rested for anyone in Rutland County interested in learning about the solar initiative by Green Mountain Power. The publisher, Green Mountain Power, is reliable because the entire article focuses on their own plan for the Rutland Solar Initiative. Therefore, this is the best source to get the information from since it is all their own. The document is well organized and readable, and does not include any evident biases. Its purpose is to inform the public about GMP's plans and hopefully get everyone interested and on board with what they intend to do with our city. The most valuable thing that I gained from this source is the evidence of their five year plan and the potential initiative they will undergo other than solar panels, in order to save energy and the environment.