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Disclaimer—This paper partially fulfills a writing requirement for first year (freshman) engineering students at the University
of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering. This paper is a student, not a professional, paper. This paper is based on publicly
available information and may not provide complete analyses of all relevant data. If this paper is used for any purpose other
than these authors’ partial fulfillment of a writing requirement for first year (freshman) engineering students at the University
of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering, the user does so at his or her own risk.
SUSTAINABLE ENGERY IN THE FORM OF SOLAR ROOFS
Cassidy Krofchik ([email protected])
SOLAR ENERGY IS A NECESSITY
even stop global warming and the dangerous effects of
greenhouse gas. Unlike fossil fuels that are not reliable
and are becoming depleted due to energy
consumption, solar power provides energy reliability.
Clean Technica states that the rising and setting of the
sun is very consistent, therefor we have a good
projection of how much sunlight that will be received
when, and how long we must be able to store the sun’s
energy [3]. On top of how reliable the sun’s setting
pattern is, the power provided by the sun is unable to
be monopolized. The sun cannot be purchased, so this
provides energy security and independence for nations
that would otherwise depend on imported fossil fuels
as a source of energy. Not having to purchase sunlight
will save nations potentially billions of dollars that
would otherwise be spent purchasing fossil fuel.
Although there are many advantages to solar energy,
there is one major disadvantage. The sun does not
shine non-stop, all-day. With this being said, batteries
would be needed to store the solar energy so it is able
to be used when the sun is not shining.
In my opinion the one disadvantage of solar
power is practically non-existent compared to the
advantages. Through solar power we could almost
completely rely on renewable energy. I find this very
important because in my future I want to be able to live
in a world that is sustainable, and in a home that is also
sustainable. We must find a way to provide this energy
source to everyone in the country. Through solar
panels and potentially solar roof tiles, harvesting the
sun’s energy will be easy for everyone.
Why We Need to Utilize Solar Energy
The Science Behind Solar Energy
As I stated in the previous section, fossil fuels are
no longer a reliable energy source for the future. They
are responsible for nearly 80% of U.S. greenhouse gas
emissions, according to the Environmental and Energy
Study Institute [2]. These gasses could cause changes
to the Earth’s climate that could be catastrophic.
Therefore, we must turn to renewable energy. The
most easily obtainable is solar power. This source of
energy is derived from the sun and can help slow or
Solar power will provide sustainable energy, but
how exactly does it work? Harvesting the sun’s energy
requires the use of solar panels. These panels, also
called photovoltaic (PV) cells, are comprised of two
layers of semiconductor material commonly
composed of silicon crystals, as stated in “How Solar
Panels Work,” from the Union of Concerned Scientists
[4]. The top layer is positively charged and the bottom
layer is negatively charged. As sunlight passes through
INTRODUCTION: SOLAR ENERGY
FOR EVERYONE
As humanity propels its self into the future,
sustainable energy becomes a greater issue.
According to the Institute for Energy Research, 90%
of total energy supply in the United States was from
nonrenewable energy [1]. If this continues at such a
rate, eventually there will be no more fossil fuels
available, forcing the nation to turn to sustainable,
renewable energy.
As someone who is living in a nation that is
dependent on nonrenewable energy, and as someone
who has concern for the environment, I am alarmed by
the lack of interest in becoming dependent on
renewable energy. It is the responsibility of engineers
to develop and create new ways to implement
renewable energy.
One form of easily obtainable renewable energy
is solar power. However, fossil fuels are more easily
available to the standard person. This brings up the
main problem with sustainable energy: How can we
provide easily available renewable energy for
everyone in the country? One proposed solution is
solar roof tiles for homes. Tesla and SolarCity are
making this proposition a reality. If this can be
implemented, then every home in America could have
easy access to solar power.
University of Pittsburgh, Swanson School of Engineering
11.1.2016
Cassidy Krofchik
these layers, it knocks electrons loose, causing them to
flow through the circuit created by the two oppositely
charged layers. This process easily turns sunlight into
electricity.
The process of gathering solar energy and the
tools which conduct such a process, are always in need
of constant improving. Therefore, engineers can play
a part in sustainable energy. Many areas of
engineering can be involved with solar energy. Civil
and environmental engineers, for example, can create
structures and homes that are sustainable and utilize
solar electricity, hence decreasing the impact
nonrenewable energy has on the environment.
According to Erik Limpaecher, co-founder of
Princeton Power Systems, engineers can play a role in
many areas of solar power. Some areas include,
developing solar systems that are reliable under
extreme conditions, using control theory to help solve
problems regarding the charging and discharging
controls, designing better shock resistant solar panels,
and the installation and packing design of the panels
[5]. With the assistance of engineers, solar power
systems will be even more reliable and available for
homes throughout the U.S. and the world.
solar power more available for, and wanted by
everyone.
The Appearance of Solar Roofs in Action:
SolarCity
The solar roof tiles created by Tesla and
SolarCity are made with textured glass tiles that
contain solar power cells
that are like those on standard solar panels. These tiles
are more durable than standard roof tiles, but look very
similar. According Elon Musk, there is a film placed
on the tiles are so that from certain angles it looks
opaque, but from others, the solar cells are visible [7].
This film does not interfere with the power of the solar
panels, but it does make them invisible when
implemented on standard roofs. Elon Musk also
claims that the cost to install the solar roof would be
less than that of a standard roof, combined with
electricity costs [7]. This means that an efficient,
powerful solar energy system can be installed on any
home, without affecting the homes appearance.
To me, the invisible solar panels used as roofing
is an incredible idea. This means that any building in
the world can install solar power roofs that can provide
a reliable, environmentally friendly alternative to
nonrenewable energy. As a future engineer, I can see
that improving the solar roof will be a challenge that
can make a huge positive impact on how we are getting
energy. With the help of engineers this solar roof can
become more powerful, more sustainable, and more
available for everyone.
SOLAR ROOF TILES: A POSSIBLE
SOLUTION
How Solar Roofs Can Provide Sustainable Energy
to Everyone.
In order to provide solar power to large quantities
of people, there must be a way to easily implement
solar systems into the average home. Typical rooftop
solar panel systems use this technology to produce
larger quantities of solar electricity for homes and
businesses. Although the rooftop panels are just as
reliable as any other sort of solar panel, the are
somewhat expensive and not as aesthetically pleasing
to the homeowner. That is why solar roof tiles are the
technology that will enable everyone to have access to
solar power.
Solar roof tiles provide “invisible” solar energy.
“Invisible,” meaning that no solar panels will be
visible on the building. Engineering physicist Michael
Alba says in his article “Integrating Solar Cells into
Ceramic Roof Tiles,” that many homeowners refuse to
use solar panels simply based on their bulky
appearance [6]. Companies such as ZEP B. V. and
SolarCity are combining the shape and appearance of
roof tile with the benefits of solar panels. This means
that those who refused to use sustainable solar power
simply because of the appearance, will be more likely
to install solar systems on their own home. This makes
CONCLUSION: SOLAR ROOFS WILL
PROVIDE AFFORDABLE
RENEWABLE ENERGY
The ability for everyone to be able to use
sustainable energy is becoming a greater issue every
year. I believe that it is the responsibility of engineers
to help create and improve the ways we implement
sustainable energy. I also believe that it is very
important for us to use as least nonrenewable energy
as possible, in order to stop the effects of greenhouse
gas. The most reliable way to provide renewable
energy is through solar power. By using the newfound
technology of solar roof tiles, solar power can be
implemented into every home in America in a way that
no one would be opposed to.
SOURCES
[1] “Encyclopedia Entry: Renewable Energy.”
Institute for Energy Research. 2016. Accessed
10.22.2016.
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Cassidy Krofchik
http://instituteforenergyresearch.org/topics/encyclope
dia/renewable-energy/
[2] “Fossil Fuels.” Environmental and Energy Study
Institute.
2014.
Accessed
10.22.2016.
http://www.eesi.org/topics/fossil-fuels/description
[3] Z. Shahan. “Advantages & Disadvantages of Solar
Power.” Clean Technica. 10.8.2013. Accessed
10.23.2016.
https://cleantechnica.com/2013/10/08/advantagesdisadvantages-solar-power/
[4] “How Solar Panels Work.” Union of Concerned
Scientists. 12.18.2016. Accessed 10.23.2016
http://www.ucsusa.org/clean-energy/renewableenergy/how-solar-panels-work#.WBiFvfkrLt8
[5] E. Limpaecher. “Mechanical Engineers should be
Renewable
Engineers.”
6.8.2011.
Accessed
10.23.2016
https://entrepreneurialenergy.wordpress.com/2011/06
/08/renewable-engineers/
[6] M. Alba. “Integrating Solar Cells into Ceramic
Roof Tiles.” Engineering.com. 10.19.2016. Accessed
9.25.2016.
http://www.engineering.com/ElectronicsDesign/Elect
ronicsDesignArticles/ArticleID/13451/IntegratingSolar-Cells-into-Ceramic-Roof-Tiles.aspx
[7] “Elon Musk unveils Solar Roof (2016.10.28).”
Every Elon Musk Video. 10.28.2016. Accessed
10.28.2016.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRqSkR4ENAg
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I would like to thank my friend and fellow
freshman engineering student, John Rozploch for
supporting me while we both struggled to write this
essay. Discussing this writing assignment with another
engineering student helped me gain a better
understanding of what was needed. Also, I would like
to thank my roommate, Isabella Hilty, for keeping me
awake to finish my essay.
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