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Caitlin Harrison
Professor Malcolm Campbell
English 1103
2/17/15
Topic Proposal: Independent Solar Energy
Introduction/Overview
I will be researching the topic of solar energy, specifically as a stand-alone energy source
that could potentially replace other major energy sources in our society. Solar energy by
definition is the light and heat energy that is emitted from the sun. It can be harnessed using
many different technologies, some active and some passive. For the most part, solar energy is an
intriguing topic because it presents the idea of a completely clean and inexhaustible energy
source.
Passive solar energy is much more common and older than active solar energy. It
involves simple techniques of using solar power, like orienting a building so that it receives
natural light and heat from the sun. Active solar energy dates back to 1861, when Auguste
Mouchout developed a steam engine powered by the sun. He did this because he questioned the
widespread belief that fossil fuels would last forever, and wanted to find an energy source that
could last forever.
In 1953, Bell Laboratories developed the first silicon solar cell that generated a
measurable electric current. While the photovoltaic cells were far from practical in the 1950s,
they sparked a new era in energy, leading to much future research of the limitless energy of the
sun.

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Today, it is still unsure if solar energy is a strong enough energy source to replace our
other more common and less clean energy sources. There is much research being done on
lowering the cost of solar energy and finding a way to harness enough solar energy to create a
substantial amount of power.

Initial Inquiry Question(s)


Is it possible to find a way to harness and maintain enough solar energy to make it a
prominent energy source in our society? In current research, how close have we come to
achieving this goal?
My Interest in this Topic
Im interested in solar energy because Im fascinated with engineering and science
research. My dad is an engineer, and I have grown up learning about the kind of work he does at
Duke Energy. Ive gotten to listen in on conversations between him and his engineer friends
about why or why not solar energy will be a good alternative energy form.
A specific interest sparked in me a couple weeks ago, when I had to order a calculator for
my calculus class. It had a solar panel. When my dad came home I started asking him questions
about how it works and why it works. While he answered some questions with the knowledge he
had, he definitely couldnt answer all of them. This prompted my interest in the topic. I want to
really understand the research that is currently being done in solar energy and how it may affect
our society in the future.

Next Steps
In the future, I plan to visit the websites of multiple science institutions that are doing
research on solar energy. This will be a great place to get a feel for where solar energy is

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currently. I will also research the history of solar energy and how much growth it has made in the
past century. There are many science journals from the late twentieth century in our library, and I
plan to sift through those as possible sources on the past of solar energy. I may also search for
UNCC professors involved in solar research, or check with my dad and see if he knows anyone
at Duke Energy involved in solar research. These would be good candidates to interview
regarding my topic.

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