'Solar+Power+Technology'+Dossier+Review

The above link is the first copy of this review. It is in a Word 2007 document.

‘Solar Power Technology’ Dossier Review Solar technology is arguably the only truly sustainable energy source available to humans. In their dossier, Group Y presents a comprehensive outline of the technology, including its potential for further development. In addition, the authors use a field lab to demonstrate the factors that influence the efficiency of solar cells. The dossier is generally well-structured, and effectively describes the methods and impacts of harnessing solar energy. However, connections between paragraphs are sometimes awkward, which interrupts the overall flow. Some sentences are oddly placed, and a number of phrases, such as “lowly populated”, should be reworded to enhance clarity. The authors’ thorough understanding of solar power technologies is reflected in the level of detail present in the dossier. Some sections, such as the 'environmental requirements' and the 'thermal solar collection' paragraphs, are descriptive and concise. Others however, include too much detail, and could have been better explained with a diagram. Specifically, the description of photovoltaic cells is confusing, and could benefit from the inclusion of a visual. The field lab examines the efficiency of photovoltaic cells and the factors affecting it. The necessary concepts are all included, but could be presented more clearly. Many of the instructions are ambiguous or difficult to follow. Directions on operating the equipment is not included, making the lab more time consuming and more confusing. Also, some of the discussion questions need more direction, and their intention was unclear. The dossier covers all necessary content, and provides a thorough overview of solar power generation. Specifically, thermal solar energy collectors and the production of silicon crystals are both very well described. Also, the mechanics of how a solar cell works, and the current research on increasing the efficiency of photovoltaic cells, are clearly explained. The only detail that is not mentioned, but should be, is the necessary conversion from the DC power generated by solar cells to AC power necessary for connection to the power grid. The hypothetical experiment comparing the relative outputs of solar, wind, and nuclear powers was well conceived, but should have been much more refined. It seems arbitrary to compare the power output of a single wind turbine at McMaster with that of the nuclear reactor and that of a small grouping of solar cells. Instead, it would have been more practical to compare the nuclear reactor with a wind farm and a solar farm that produce the same power output as the reactor. Then, the relative cost, land use, and environmental impacts of these power stations could have been compared, and a more applicable conclusion could have been made. The technologies should have also been compared to coal and fossil fuel power technologies. In addition, the description of the hypothetical experiment could have been much more concise. The tables are unnecessary, and it would likely save space if the numbers were simply written out. It is also not essential to include every calculation, because many of the steps do not need to be shown. The conclusion of the dossier is very short, and does not naturally follow from the previous arguments. It seems far too sudden, and does not sound very strong or convincing. Although the conclusion is relevant to long-term energy production, it includes no mention of short-term energy production or of energy production in Canada specifically. We reach the same conclusion that solar power has the potential to become a long-term energy solution. However, we add our own additional conclusion that solar power technology is not yet ready for general commercial use. Intense research is needed to increase the efficiency and feasibility of photovoltaic cells. In Canada, there is some potential for solar power use, but our climate limits the productivity of solar technologies. Overall, the dossier is well-written, and covers all necessary concepts and content. However, the dossier left us with a number of questions still, and could have been much clearer on some topics. The dossier should have been much more comprehensive and much more concise. Although the dossier should have been more refined, it shows that the authors are very knowledgeable about all aspects solar power technologies.

**edited by: helen**