Solar Photovoltaic Cells Essay -- Solar Energy Heat Sun essays

Solar Photovoltaic Cells Solar energy is a general term referring to any process that turns sunlight into energy. Two common forms of solar energy are used today: Solar photovoltaic cells and solar thermal technology. Solar thermal technology uses the heat generated from sunlight to create energy. Most commonly, this can be used to heat water for a house or other projects. Or, with increasing complexity, it can turn the heat into electricity. Unfortunately, much of this technology is too expensive and complex to be practical in the United States on any large scale. However, solar photovoltaic cells are a far more promising technology. They provide a simple way of turning light directly into energy. This paper will examine how this technology works on a basic level while accessing the possible benefits and problems this technology has. It will also examine possible technology in the future in an attempt to overcome these problems. How solar photovoltaic cells work: A photovoltaic cell uses semiconductor material to transform light into electrical energy. Photons from light hitting the material excite electrons, releasing them from their atoms into the material. Once electrons are excited, they are able to move freely within the material. The semi-conductor then serves to force the electrons in the desired directions. By creating a junction of a p and n type semiconductor, an electrical potential is created. The electrons move from the n-type to the p-type. Meanwhile, the positively charged atoms move from the p-type to the n-type. As a result, the n-type material gains a positive charge and the p-type gains a negative charge. When an electrical circuit connects the p-type and n-type ends, difference in e... ...rrent conventional energy. It has promising chances of reducing carbon dioxide emissions and thus reducing global warming. But, it sill cannot compete economically with current energy means and as a result, more research must be dedicated into the cause in order for its benefits to be fully realized. Works Cited Berinstein P. 2001. Alternative Energy: Facts, Statistics, and Issues. Wesport (CT): Oryx Press; 208p. Current Solar Systems: Modern Photovoltaic Solar Cells. http://www.personal.psu.edu/users/t/s/tss178/pvcells.htm [2004 Oct 19] Ramage J. 1997. Energy, A Guidebook. New York: Oxford. 194p. Sorensen B. 2000. Renewable Energy: Its physics, engineering, use, environmental impacts, economy and planning aspects. 2nd ed. San Diego: Academic Press. 912p. http://www.worldbank.org/html/fpd/energy/subenergy/solar/solar_pv.htm [2004 Oct 18]

Evaluate the accuracy of “The Clouds” in portraying the political, social, economic and religious life of people in the fifth century BC Athens

Greek theatre has always been a significant constituent in the past and present Athenian society. Fifth Century BC Athenian society proposed numerous playwrights in their festivities honouring the god, Dionysus. Amongst the many crowd favourites was a legend to describe him in the least, Aristophanes. His works of satirical comedy are still celebrated and enjoyed today. One such example of his famous satirical works is â€Å"The Clouds†, written in 423BC. â€Å"The Clouds† is about a father, Strepsiades, who is in debt because of his son's expensive horse hobby. Strepsiades tries to convince his son, Pheidippides, to attend the â€Å"Thinkery† (a school for sophistry), to learn the art of double talk in the hope of outwitting his creditors in court. However, Pheidippides denies his father's request, so instead Strepsiades decides to enrol himself. Strepsiades' attempts to learn sophistry but fails miserably when his old age gets the best of him. Another attempt to encourage his son to enrol becomes successful and Pheidippides learns to double-talk from the teacher Socrates. This is later regretted when, at the climax of the story, Pheidippides uses double-talk to justify him beating his father. Strepsiades, out of anger and rage, then sets fire to the Thinkery. The main theme dealt with in the â€Å"The Clouds† is that of new versus old. Aristophanes challenges the radical thinkers like sophists and the imaginative thinkers like Socrates for oppressing the traditional values held and demoralising the youth. Another theme pertaining to â€Å"the clouds† is the confliction of religion and science. In fifth century BC, around the time when Aristophanes wrote the clouds, the commotion of â€Å"scientific theory† had just begun. With religion prevailing at the time, such atheistic thinking brought about by people like Socrates was firstly unlawful and secondly prone to ridicule by conservative figures such as Aristophanes. â€Å"The Clouds† is rather accurate in depicting Athenian life. However the perception of Socrates evident in the text is not parallel to that of Socrates in real life. Aristophanes, like many, linked Socrates with the rest of the Sophists for the reason that he was a philosophical thinker, that is, he came up with reasoning without relying on faith. However, Socrates, like Aristophanes rejected the ideas of the Sophists. The sophists argued that guiding principles of a society, such as justice and truth, varied according to the needs of men in a particular time and place. In teaching their students, the sophists emphasised the art of argumentative discussion and came to be associated with deceptive and hollow reasoning. This is depicted in the clouds where better argument represents traditional thinking and the worse argument depicts that of the sophists. Despite Aristophanes' rather critical portrayal of Socrates, the description of him as expressed through Pheidippides as † pale-faced charlatans, who haven't any shoes† is actually relatively true. Since Socrates wore simple apparel, and walked barefoot through the streets, his ideas and peculiarity made him an easy subject of derision and he was often thought of as a fraudulent figure. Socrates was also ridiculed for the fact he believed in one intelligent being as the creator of the universe. This went against the religious life of the Athenians. In â€Å"The Clouds†, Poseidon, god of horses is sworn on by Pheidippides and later again by Pasias (one of Strepsiades creditors) who also swears by Hermes and Zeus. These accounts are an accurate reflection the religious beliefs upheld by Athenian society. However, since â€Å"the clouds† is a satirical play, Aristophanes pokes fun at Socrates who is depicted to believe in the â€Å"vortex† as the ruler, not Zeus. This part of the play is not accurate, as it does not hold a factual purpose but rather that of entertainment and humour. Rather than just analysing â€Å"The Clouds† on its plot, a more comprehensive read of the text reveals further details on 5th century Athenian life, all of which are precise in information. For instance, it is apparent in the text that concepts such as creditors, debtors and interest, were already in use at the time. This shows that Athenian society had in place forms of financing that still exist today. Also, there is a clear depiction of the judicial system present at the time. It is evident in the text that when taking a person to court a deposit must be made and if the case was lost the deposit was forfeited. Other instances in which â€Å"The Clouds† has effectively portrayed Athenian life is through their currency, such as drachmas and obols and also in their legal system, when the Better Argument makes reference to the punishment of adultery, this being having a radish shoved up his anus and his pubic hair singed with hot ash. The people of the 5th century BC Athenian society were rather wealthy and could afford slaves. The polarisation of the two classes of people within society is portrayed rather well. This is evident with Strepsiades' servant Xanthias who lives an unpleasant life when compared to Pheidippides who indulges in the costly hobby of buying racehorses. This is further exemplified when Pheidippides mother insists to add -hippos (meaning horse) to Pheidippides name at birth so he could have the marks of the aristocratic classes. In conclusion, â€Å"The Clouds† is a satirical play and should not be taken for face value. However, his portrayal of issues and figures within the society give an accurate insight into some of the beliefs held by the general public and if treated carefully could be considered as reliable historical source. A serious theme underlies this comedy, namely: Ideas espoused by radical thinkers like the sophists and by highly imaginative thinkers like Socrates are undermining traditional values and corrupting the morals of youths. The sophists maintained that the guiding principles of a society, such as justice and truth, were relative concepts-that is, these principles changed according to the needs of men in a particular time and place. What was right and just in Athens was not necessarily right and just in another society. One man's virtue could be another man's vice. In teaching their students, the sophists emphasized the art of argumentative discourse and came to be associated with deceptive and specious reasoning, lampooned effectively in The Clouds. Another target of Aristophanes was Socrates, along with his associate, Chaerephon. Ironically, Socrates, like Aristophanes, renounced the methods and ideas of the sophists. Nevertheless, Socrates angered the establishment (1) by declaring that the validity of many long-standing precepts could not be proved by logical reasoning, (2) by rejecting the Olympian gods and sometimes speaking of a single intelligent being as the creator of the universe, and (3) by spreading â€Å"dangerous† ideas among young people. In addition, he alienated many Athenians because he was ugly and untidy (sometimes neglecting to bathe for a long while), wore simple apparel, and walked barefoot through the streets. Thus, his ideas and eccentricities made him a ripe subject for ridicule.

How Does It Work - 1291 Words

How it works? Self-employed IVAs are very similar to normal Individual Voluntary Arrangements. They follow the same principle – but the application process is a little different, as they have to accommodate your business and cash-flow. This guide provides you with an in-depth look at the self-employed IVA process. If you’re struggling with your debts and think a self-employed IVA could be right for you, get in touch with PayPlan. We can help you understand all your options. Call us on 0800 280 2816 or use our online form to request a call back GET ADVICE NOW Going through your options In order to consider setting up a self-employed IVA for you, we will first need to collect details of the amounts you owe and the assets you own.†¦show more content†¦GET ADVICE NOW The self-employed IVA proposal After collecting details of your finances and assessing your situation, we will refer you to our associated company PayPlan Bespoke Solutions Limited, who specialise in setting up self-employed IVAs. They will offer to meet you in person to go through your debt solution options and discuss your business cash-flow. You don’t have to agree to this proposal but it’s a good chance to ask any questions about your financial situation. Alternatively, this can be discussed over the phone, if that suits you better. In order to propose a self-employed IVA, certain items will need to be verified, to check that all the information contained in your self-employed IVA proposal is correct. Typical information that’s needed is: Your business cash-flow projection for the next 12 months Your business profit and loss accounts for the past year A copy of your tax return for last year An online valuation of your home (and any other properties you own) A copy of your latest mortgage statement – and any secured loan statement(s), if applicable – to show your creditors the equity position in your property(ies) Copies of all recent correspondence from your personal and business creditors – so we can get your account numbers, creditor contact details and latest outstanding balances About the Insolvency Practitioner In order to propose a self-employed IVA to your creditors, you’ll need to use the services of aShow MoreRelatedHow Does Work And Leisure Essay925 Words   |  4 PagesAnd Leisure Introduction: How does work and leisure correspond to the â€Å"good life?† Is there a formula, which if we follow, will lead us towards our own Atlantis? I believe there is. 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