Solar & Wind Energy Comparison – AP Environmental Science | ShowMeClass

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Solar & Wind Energy Comparison

AP Environmental Science · Unit 6: Energy Resources

Learning Objectives

Compare solar and wind energy systems

Calculate energy output from solar panels

Calculate energy output from wind turbines

Analyze capacity factor and intermittency

Solar Energy

P = η × A × G
η = panel efficiency (15-22%)
A = panel area (m²)
G = solar irradiance (W/m²)
Capacity factor: 15-25%

Wind Energy

P = ½ρAv³C_p
ρ = air density (1.225 kg/m³)
A = swept area (πr²)
v = wind speed (m/s)
C_p = power coefficient (≤0.593)
Capacity factor: 25-45%

Colors

Solar power output

Wind power output

Combined / total

SolarWindRenewable

Hour:12:00

Solar:- kW

Wind:- kW

Total:- kW

POWER OUTPUT OVER 24 HOURS (kW)

Solar Panel

Panel Area (m²) 50

Efficiency (%) 20

Peak Irradiance (W/m²) 1000

Wind Turbine

Blade Radius (m) 20

Avg Wind Speed (m/s) 8

Power Coeff Cp 0.40

Time of Day 12:00

Location Preset

Energy Comparison

Quick Quiz▼

1. Wind power is proportional to wind speed:

Linearly (v) Squared (v²) Cubed (v³) To the fourth (v&sup4;)

2. The Betz limit for wind turbine efficiency is about:

33% 59.3% 80% 100%

3. Solar panel output is zero during:

Cloudy days Nighttime Winter Windy conditions