Topic: Solar Energy

Solar energy is energy generated directly from sunlight. In the recent decades, several solar technologies have been developed and used to generate solar energy. 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.

In this project, the trend of solar energy over time will be explored, for both generation and demand. If the trend fluctuates a lot, factors affecting the fluctuation of solar energy will be found out, such as temperature, humidity, pressure or wind speed. Moreover, the percentage of solar power in the total electricity over time will be explored and compared with the trends of total solar power generation and total electricity demand.

10 questions to be answered:

(1) What was the solar energy trend over the last several years?

(2) Was the solar energy trend similar to the trends of wind speed, humidity, pressure and temperature?

(3) How will the amount of energy consumed vary in future?

(4) What affects the fluctuation of solar energy (e.g. temperature, humidity, pressure, wind speed)?

(5) What were the solar generation and demand trends in Italy between 2015 and 2016?

(6) What was the trend of daily power production of solar panels over the last several years?

(7) What was the percentage of solar power in the total electricity over time?

(8) Did the daily gas changed over time?

(9) What was the volume of cumulative power production of solar panels over time?

(10) What are several most impactful technologies of generating solar energy?