In today’s global energy conversation, some analysts tout solar energy as part of a green economical solution to society’s energy needs. In this presentation, an experimental physicist with 50 years of laboratory experience--much of it in solar photo-voltaic research--considers the promise of solar energy. Beginning with a survey of mankind’s history of harnessing the sun’s power, the lecture puts solar energy in perspective as a player in the current framework of the creation and usage of energy from all sources. After outlining the various ways the sun’s rays in particular can be harnessed, the talk focuses on the physics of solar photovoltaic energy conversion. The economics of domestic solar energy creation finally provides realistic assessment of the solar options available to North Carolina homeowners.

Registration deadline: Nov. 25