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In: Physics

The US generates ∼ 4,000 million megawatthours (MWh) of electricity per year (source: DOE1 ). Note:...

The US generates ∼ 4,000 million megawatthours (MWh) of electricity per year (source: DOE1 ). Note: a MWh has units of power × time, or energy. Assume that the demand for this energy is constant over the course of the day and year.

Imagine building an array of solar panels in the desert in the Southwest. Allowing for night and day, sunlight will shine on the panels for 12 h per day. Electricity generated during the day will be stored for use during the night. (We will neglect any inefficiencies in this storage.)

Over the course of the year, the Sun will sometimes be high in the sky, and other times low. Additionally, the panels themselves will not be 100% efficient in converting light to electricity. As a result, imagine that 10% of the average solar flux reaching the Earth is converted to electricity by this array.

What is the area of the solar panel array needed to meet the US electrical demands? If the array is square, what is the length of one side?

Solutions

Expert Solution

Given date:

US yearly energy demand = 4000 milion MWh = =

Efficiency of solar panel = 10%

Sunlight sine per day = 12h

Let the total area solar panel needed to meet us energy demand is A m2

Now, we know the solar irradiance is = W/m2

Now total solar energy receive in one day (as 12h sunlight time) =

Total solar energy receive in one year = =

Total solar energy can be converted to electricity in one year = (Solar energy receive in one year) (Efficiency)

                                                  =% Wh/m2

                                                         = Wh/m2

                                                  =

So, Total electricity produce by A m2 area of solar panel in one year=

now this should be equal to the total yearly electricity demand of US

so

US yearly electricity demand = Total electricity produce by total area of solar panel in one year

genius_generous answered 2 years ago
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