Research Proposal

Naga Panchumarty
Independent Research G/T
2016-2017
Title: Solar Energy in America
Introduction and Overview of Research:
In this proposal the following about Solar Energy and Solar panels will be addressed:
Background and Methodology, Research Methodology, Product Objectives, and Logistical
Considerations. It is a basic overview of about the production of solar panels and how they are
competing with nuclear energy and other fossil fuels to eventually produce more than half the
nations electricity. Also it talks about why it is important to switch to solar panels.
The general area of investigation is solar power. The problem that the researcher is
attempting to solve is Can Solar power efficiently power most of the nations power with
improvements and eco-friendly laws to come in the future. The researcher is attempting to solve
this dilemma through extensive research as well as some help with respected professionals in the
field of solar power. In the end the researcher is hoping to find whether or not, solar power can
be an answer to help save the planet from fossil fuels.
Background and Rationale:
In the future, it is estimated that half the species on our planet are going to be extinct and
the primary reason for this is to accommodate for the human standard of living. Since the
industrial age, the standard of living has increased dramatically because of the availability of the
coal, oil, and metals. This availability was the reason for the increase in environmental hazards.
Because of the value of these materials, they have been rapidly depleted. This causes land
destruction and thus destroys the habitat of other animals. Habitat destruction is the biggest
factor in the extinction of animals in the previous decades.
Most of this destruction is primarily for the generation of electricity. But there is a cleaner
and more safer way to generate electricity: Renewable energy. The cleanest and most abundant
renewable resource is Solar energy. It is becoming the most favored renewable in previous years.
Due to decrease in the price of solar panels, and new projects expanding throughout the world,
solar power has increased its energy production and new improvements are expected to power
about 15% of the nations power.
The reason for the rationale for this study is because the environment is a huge factor that
living things all around the world depend on and if it is destroyed, it not only destroys the habitat
of other living things, but also is very dangerous for the living things in the planet. This is
already started what the scientists are calling the sixth major extinction on earth, By using
renewable resources, the environment could be in better health and could be beneficial to
everything living on this planet.

Research Methodology
Research Question: Can Solar power with improvements to come as well as eco-friendly
laws power most of the nations electricity ?
Research Hypothesis: With improvements to come as well as some eco-friendly laws that
help produce more solar projects, solar energy can power more than half of the nations
electricity.
Research design model
The specific design model for this project will be conducting interviews on respected
professionals in their field of solar energy. This will be quantitative and qualitative because this
is focused on the quality of the professionals as well as the quantity of information gained from
the interviews. This design model that best accommodates for this study is interviews because it
helps to the researcher gain a lot of information on a lot of sources from real-world professionals
in their field. Some variables in this model include the amount of solar energy produced versus
the amount of energy produced from nuclear energy and other fossil fuels. Some operational
definitions include improved environment, compared to the past, the amount of toxins and
hazards produced are taken into account more than in the past. As well as animal endangerment
decreasing, with better environmental laws and agencies, the care for animals will increase,
which will lead to more animal growth.
Data Collection
For data collection, the researcher will conduct five formal interviews with professionals in their
respective fields. This is model is chosen because it is the only logical way to gain reliable
research.
Product Objectives
The outcome of the year of study would be a presentation because it can clearly outline
my research throughout the year and is able to showcase my work very reasonably. The
researcher will include a lot of pictures and statistics to help follow up the information to help
the audience better understand the information that is projected on the screen. Also most of the
vocabulary will be clearly defined on the powerpoint like the photovoltaic effect and other
phenomenons which help convert the alternating current into direct current or vice-versa.
The targeted people will be adults and children because adults can change their ways of
getting electricity and children can be taught to learn about the importance of using renewable
resources and later continue that in their life. Daily people who get their electricity from electric
companies and people that do not have much background knowledge on new alternate ways of
using electricity and the benefits that it could provide to the environment as well as the animals
that live on this planet.
The researcher could use a powerpoint to reach the targeted audience as well creating a
website that highlights the importance of switching to solar panels. This could be a way of
communicating to the targeted audience.

Logistical Considerations
Resources required for the project will primarily be human resources as the researcher is
conducting formal interviews. The way to communicate with professionals in the field of solar
energy will be through e-mails and the interview will be conducted over the phone or through via
skype. Some considerations for the project might be gaining permission before conducting the
interviews from the professionals. In order to gain knowledge on the issue of using solar panels
to decrease the use of non-renewable resources, the researcher must get permission from the
professionals to take time for the interview.
In third quarter, a timeline will be added that outlines the data collection, product
development, and audience distribution.
Approval:

Student Signature

G/T Resource Teacher Signature

In text citation:
Engdahl, S. (2015). Diverse alternative sources will be essential to the future.
Retrieved from Opposing Viewpoints in Context database.