Logo
Home Study Material Contact Search
AI Chat FREE
  1. sciences
  2. physics
  3. the us generates ∼ 4,000 million megawatthour

The US generates ∼ 4,000 million megawatthours (MWh) of electricity per year (source: DOE1 ). Note:...

90.2K

Verified Solution

Question

Physics

The US generates ∼ 4,000 million megawatthours (MWh) ofelectricity per year (source: DOE1 ). Note: a MWh has units ofpower × time, or energy. Assume that the demand for this energy isconstant over the course of the day and year.

Imagine building an array of solar panels in the desert in theSouthwest. Allowing for night and day, sunlight will shine on thepanels for 12 h per day. Electricity generated during the day willbe stored for use during the night. (We will neglect anyinefficiencies in this storage.)

Over the course of the year, the Sun will sometimes be high inthe sky, and other times low. Additionally, the panels themselveswill not be 100% efficient in converting light to electricity. As aresult, imagine that 10% of the average solar flux reaching theEarth is converted to electricity by this array.

What is the area of the solar panel array needed to meet the USelectrical demands? If the array is square, what is the length ofone side?

Answer & Explanation Solved by verified expert
3.8 Ratings (595 Votes)
Given dateUS yearly energy demand 4000 milion MWh Efficiency of solar panel 10Sunlight sine per day 12hLet the total area solar    See Answer
Get Answers to Unlimited Questions

Join us to gain access to millions of questions and expert answers. Enjoy exclusive benefits tailored just for you!

Membership Benefits:
  • Unlimited Question Access with detailed Answers
  • Zin AI - 3 Million Words
  • 10 Dall-E 3 Images
  • 20 Plot Generations
  • Conversation with Dialogue Memory
  • No Ads, Ever!
  • Access to Our Best AI Platform: Flex AI - Your personal assistant for all your inquiries!
Become a Member

Other questions asked by students

Accounting
1.2K views

The following changes in Vel Corp.'s account balances occurredduring the current year:Increase Assets $...The...

Basic Math
1.2K views

PLEASE SOLVED THIS PROBLEM BY HAND AND IN MINITAB: The following data are direct solar intensity measurements (watts/m²)...

Medical Sciences
1.2K views

Our muscles play a major role in our everyday activity as humans, what would happen if...

Chemistry
1.2K views

Every weak acid has the following unique characteristic(s): a. at the 50% titration point the pH...

General Management
1.2K views

What is the scope of Human Resource Planning (HRP) Exercise? Benefit of Workforce Planning and effective...

Biology
1.2K views

Researchers investigated the effect of urea on the three-dimensional structure of a certain enzyme. The...

Basic Math
1.2K views

Find the domain of the function f(x)=?x - 2. Write your answer in interval notation.

Calculus
1.2K views

11 Let a 15 b 14 c 19 d 11 f x 14x 10 undefined...

Accounting
1.2K views

I mainly need help with ration 4 and 5. Please show all the calculations...

Accounting
1.2K views

Using the amounts show below in the Schedule of Cost of Goods Manufactured and Partial...

Accounting
1.2K views

Determine the missing amounts

Accounting
1.2K views

Check my work Problem 16-19 Using net present value and internal rate of return to...