Solar Energy (College Board AP® Environmental Science): Exam Questions

They produce large amounts of carbon dioxide

They are highly efficient in all conditions

They store electricity for use in any weather

They depend on sunlight, limiting production at night or on cloudy days

Methane emissions

Soil salinization

Habitat loss from land clearing

Increased ocean temperatures

High wind speeds

Frequent cloud cover

High latitude and snowfall

High solar insolation and clear skies

It requires no land to operate

It is constantly replenished by the sun

It is made from recycled materials

It is stored underground for later use

They reduce home energy use to zero even in the dark

They eliminate the need for battery storage

They reduce dependence on fossil fuel-generated electricity

They require no maintenance over their lifetime

High initial installation costs

Need for energy storage systems

Variable sunlight availability

High greenhouse gas emissions

They generate extra electricity on cloudy days

They convert sunlight into heat

They store excess electricity for later use

They boost solar panel efficiency

They rely on the building's design, materials, and location to capture and store heat from sunlight  

They use mechanical or electric equipment to collect and distribute energy  

Heat is stored in materials like concrete and brick and released slowly over time 

Energy storage is limited, and usage is typically confined to daylight hours  

PV systems are dependent on sunlight, making them an intermittent energy source  

Solar cells have high efficiency, typically exceeding 80%  

Solar panels require a significant initial investment for installation 

Solar farms need large amounts of land, which could otherwise be used for agriculture