Why don’t we cover the desert with solar panels? [Ted-Ed]

Why is there a limit to the amount of power that solar panels generate?

• Solar panels are an outdated technology.

• Solar panels can only interact with certain wavelengths of light.

• Solar panels can overload local power grids, so production is capped.

• Solar panels typically aren’t exposed to enough light.

Solar power has gotten ___ cheaper over the last decade.

• 23%

• 99%

• 48%

• 89%

Why don’t we cover the Sahara with solar panels?

• It could dramatically transform the desert ecosystem.

• It would be too difficult to keep sand out of the inner workings of the panels.

• 
  It would be too costly to taxpayers.

• The technology is not advanced enough to accommodate the energy output.

How are concentrated solar plants able to generate power after the sun sets?

• They incorporate a greater number of panels to process residual energy.

• Large cooling systems are employed to increase panel efficiency.

• It takes time for the materials to cool off, so they continue to generate power even without sunlight.

• Panels in these plants are larger than usual, so they absorb more energy during daylight hours.

What are some countries doing to move solar energy beyond local power grids?

• Working on ways to connect electric grids across the globe

• Building solar farms in urban areas

• Harvesting greater amounts of energy

• Encouraging local populations to use less electricity

Aside from deserts, what other environments might be suitable for solar energy development?

In what ways do you think local communities are affected by the construction of nearby solar farms?

Consider other alternative energy sources. How might they be better or worse for the environment than solar power?

If all or most of our energy came from solar power, how might that affect economic, political, and cultural relationships across the globe?