Sahara Desert Solar Panels

Question 1

…% of the desert needs to be covered to produce enough energy for the entire world

Answer 1

1.2%

Question 2

Why is the desert important? Who/what is affected?

Answer 2

The Amazon rainforest is dependent on the nutrients

Question 3

How much of the desert would need to be covered for a change in temperature to be caused?

Answer 3

1/5

Question 4

If __% of the desert is covered, the vegetation will significantly increase and change the desert landscape

Answer 4

20%

Question 5

How efficient are solar panels?

Answer 5

The black surfaces absorb most of the sunlight reached, but only 15% gets converted to energy

Question 6

What happen exactly if 20% is covered? (describe the steps)

Answer 6

1. there will be a contrast in temperature between the solar farms
2. The oceans will lower the surface air temperature
3. This will cause the moist air to rise and condense into raindrops

result: increased precipitation and vegetation

Question 7

What makes the deserts a good location for solar panels?

Answer 7

The silicon found in some deserts is one of the primary materials for solar panels

Question 8

What is one drawback of the Sahara desert for solar panels?

Answer 8

The temperature on the surface of the desert is potentially too high - solar panels perform best under moderate temperatures ∼25C - Sahara averages 30C but reaches much higher temperatures

Question 9

What limitations are there?

Answer 9

• Solar energy is expensive - much more than fossil fuels
• Political complications
• Inefficient - 85% gets converted to heat instead of energy