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Solar Energy: How Does It Work?

The amount of sunlight that strikes the earth's surface in an hour and a half is enough to handle the entire world's energy consumption for a full year. Solar technologies convert sunlight into electrical energy either through photovoltaic (PV) panels or through mirrors that concentrate solar radiation. This energy can be used to generate electricity or be stored in batteries or thermal storage

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Transatomic Power

Our pioneering energy technology generates clean, safe and affordable nuclear power. The nuclear industry of the 1950s was defined by an inexhaustible optimism and rigorous scientific thinking. Anything was possible, and nuclear energy promised to power the world. Revolutionary designs were prolific. Today, however, this technological diversity has been narrowed, and the industry has become locked into one design: the light water reactor.

OTHER VIDEOS

Where are the world's largest offshore wind farms?

video | August 30, 2022

165 wind turbines delivering 1.3 GW of renewable electricity The wind farm spans an area of 462 km2 – equal to more than 64,000 football fields Each wind turbine blade is 81m long and the blade tip reaches more than 200m above sea level One revolution of the wind turbine blades can power an average UK home for 24 hours 390km of subsea export cables take the power generated from Hornsea 2 to the shore at Horseshoe Point in Lincolnshire...

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Dark side of clean energy: Solar panels leaving behind toxic trash

video | July 12, 2022

We are approaching towards the first big wave of discarded solar panels. The problem of solar e-waste is real, what's even worse is that most of the dead solar panels go straight to the landfills because the cost of recycling them is high....

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Are floating solar panels the future of energy generation?

video | March 18, 2023

Solar panels are mostly spread out over the land. But what if we install them atop of water reservoirs? This new research argues that it is why we need to transition away from fossil fuels....

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A look at the cost of solar energy access and who benefits from it

video | April 16, 2022

When someone starts powering their home with solar energy and stops buying power from their local utility, many like to think they've "gone off the grid." But in many areas, they're not as independent as you might think. Barry Petersen has more. "CBS Saturday Morning" co-hosts Jeff Glor, Michelle Miller and Dana Jacobson deliver two hours of original reporting and breaking news, as well as profiles of leading figures in culture and the arts. Watch "CBS Saturday Morning" at 7 a.m. ET on CBS and 8 a.m. ET on the CBS News app....

Watch Now

Where are the world's largest offshore wind farms?

video | August 30, 2022

165 wind turbines delivering 1.3 GW of renewable electricity The wind farm spans an area of 462 km2 – equal to more than 64,000 football fields Each wind turbine blade is 81m long and the blade tip reaches more than 200m above sea level One revolution of the wind turbine blades can power an average UK home for 24 hours 390km of subsea export cables take the power generated from Hornsea 2 to the shore at Horseshoe Point in Lincolnshire...

Watch Now

Dark side of clean energy: Solar panels leaving behind toxic trash

video | July 12, 2022

We are approaching towards the first big wave of discarded solar panels. The problem of solar e-waste is real, what's even worse is that most of the dead solar panels go straight to the landfills because the cost of recycling them is high....

Watch Now

Are floating solar panels the future of energy generation?

video | March 18, 2023

Solar panels are mostly spread out over the land. But what if we install them atop of water reservoirs? This new research argues that it is why we need to transition away from fossil fuels....

Watch Now

A look at the cost of solar energy access and who benefits from it

video | April 16, 2022

When someone starts powering their home with solar energy and stops buying power from their local utility, many like to think they've "gone off the grid." But in many areas, they're not as independent as you might think. Barry Petersen has more. "CBS Saturday Morning" co-hosts Jeff Glor, Michelle Miller and Dana Jacobson deliver two hours of original reporting and breaking news, as well as profiles of leading figures in culture and the arts. Watch "CBS Saturday Morning" at 7 a.m. ET on CBS and 8 a.m. ET on the CBS News app....

Watch Now
MORE VIDEOS

Spotlight

Transatomic Power

Our pioneering energy technology generates clean, safe and affordable nuclear power. The nuclear industry of the 1950s was defined by an inexhaustible optimism and rigorous scientific thinking. Anything was possible, and nuclear energy promised to power the world. Revolutionary designs were prolific. Today, however, this technological diversity has been narrowed, and the industry has become locked into one design: the light water reactor.

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