High School

Research photoelectric solar energy. Discuss the energy output of solar panels. How large an area of land must be covered in solar panels to provide all the electrical needs of Canada?

A. The energy output varies depending on various factors such as location, orientation, and weather conditions.
B. Approximately 7.3% of Canada's land area would need to be covered in solar panels to meet all electrical needs.
C. Approximately 12.6% of Canada's land area would need to be covered in solar panels to meet all electrical needs.
D. Approximately 20.5% of Canada's land area would need to be covered in solar panels to meet all electrical needs.

Answer :

Final answer:

The correct option about the area of land covered by solar panels to meet Canada's energy needs is not given in the options provided. Only a small fraction of Earth's land area equipped with solar panels could meet global energy demand, hinting that Canada's needs could also be met by a similarly small proportion, but exact calculations would depend on specific factors.

Explanation:

The correct option regarding the energy output of solar panels and how large an area of land must be covered in solar panels to provide all the electrical needs of Canada is not provided among the options a, b, c, or d. Based on the current global energy consumption rates and the efficiency of photovoltaics, a very small percentage of land area could potentially satisfy a country's energy needs when deployed effectively with photoelectric solar technology.

For example, if solar panels that operate at 15% efficiency were used, they would require only 0.4% of Earth's land area to meet current global energy demand. This demonstrates that solar energy is abundant and capable of meeting our energy requirements by a significant margin. However, specific calculations tailored to Canada's energy requirements and solar insolation levels would be necessary to provide an accurate figure for the area required in square kilometers.

It is also important to acknowledge that numerous variables affect the energy output of solar panels, such as location, weather, and seasonal variations. For Canada, considering its high latitude and varying climate, the efficiency and total area covered by solar panels would need to be calculated with these factors in mind.