Solar Energy eBook

by Christine Zuchora-Walske

Overview

As our world's population grows, so to does our need for energy. Scientists seek the next breakthrough in new technology while constantly finding ways to make current solutions cheaper and more efficient. In this title, discover what solar energy is, its history, how we use it today, and how new technologies can contribute to our energy future. Learn about cutting-edge uses for solar cells, including tiny nano-sized cells and cells printed on paper, and exciting new ways to make and use power from the sun's heat. Sidebars, full-color photos, full-spread diagrams, well-placed graphs, charts, and maps, stories highlighting innovations in action, and a glossary enhance this engaging title. Innovative Technologies is a series in Essential Library, an imprint of ABDO Publishing Company.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781614806875
Publisher:	ABDO Publishing
Publication date:	01/01/2013
Series:	Innovative Technologies eBook
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	112
Lexile:	1080L (what's this?)
File size:	19 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	11 - 18 Years

Editorial Reviews

Gr 6–10—These titles examine the application of modern technology to problems of energy and food supply. Nuclear Energy looks at both the benefits and problems associated with the generation of power through nuclear technology from a global perspective. It includes short history of the progress of nuclear energy from the discovery of uranium in the late 19th century through the current need to move away from fossil fuels. The problems associated with radiation, waste disposal, public opinion, and the accidents at Chernobyl and Fukushima are addressed before concluding that the importance of nuclear energy is so great that all such difficulties will need to be surmounted to ensure a cleaner and more sustainable energy source of the future. Wind Energy also addresses the potentials and problems with this source of energy. The drawbacks involving aesthetics, noise, health issues, and the slaughter of birds and bats are discussed and generally dismissed as problems that will be overcome with newer and better technologies. Innovations in solar technology give hope for a power source that has few drawbacks and many benefits. Sustainable Agriculture tackles the growing needs of developing nations and the effect on climate, depletion of forests and rain forests, and the pollution of water sources due to increased large-scale agriculture. Genetic engineering of food materials as a real and current concern is given a lengthy analysis. Local and sustainable growing methods are discussed with the hope that they might take root as a means of feeding an ever-growing world population. Some sidebar information is not completely explored and some concerns not fully reviewed, but these titles will be useful as basic source materials for research and discussion.—Eva Elisabeth VonAncken, formerly at Trinity-Pawling School, Pawling, NY

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