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Solar Energy Interview
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On March 21st 2002, Mr. Mark Kapner from Austin Energy came to our class to talk and answer questions about wind, biomass and solar energy. Here you will see what he said about solar energy. |
Norma: How much has solar energy improved since it started?
Mr. Kapner: They have learned how to make solar panels better and they have lowered the cost but it is still high.
Norma: How much does solar energy cost?
Mr. Kapner: Solar energy cost 4 times more than other electricity and electricity that you pay but in the future it might go down. Panels are installed where there is no electricity, so it is more convenient in some locations.
Marlen: How much solar energy does a battery store?
Mr. Kapner: It depends how big the battery is. With 16 large batteries you can store what energy my home uses in a day.
Marlen: In a home, what can I expect from solar panels?
Mr. Kapner: You would have to put 1,000 square feet to run enough energy for a home. Besides you would need storing batteries.
Marlen: In the future could a whole house depend on solar energy?
Mr. Kapner: People depend on it already. Homes could, if owners want to deal with the installation cost. I see more solar in the future but I don’t expect solar to be dominant
Edith: What are some of the pros and cons of solar energy?
Mr. Kapner: The pros are that solar energy is clean and it doesn’t pollute once it is made. One of the major drawbacks is that it is expensive to produce.
Edith: What percentage of Austin’s energy comes from solar energy?
Mr. Kapner: It is less than 1% because of the cost. Other energy sources cost less than solar energy, such as fossil fuel, biomass and wind.
Edith: What percentage of Texas is based on solar energy?
Mr. Kapner: It is the same thing, is less than 1%. The state that uses the most is probably California. If you would like to see one place that runs almost entirely on solar power around Austin is the Wild Basin Preserve.
Class: We’ve been there!
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For more information on Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve, go to:
For more information about AustinEnergy, see: