Question

INTERPRETATIONS OF THE DEFINITE INTEGRAL: Solar photovoltaic (PV) cells are the world’s fastest growing energy source. In year (t) since 2007, PV cells were manufactured worldwide at a rate of S=3.7e^(0.61t) gigawatts per year. Estimate the total solar energy-generating capacity of the PV cells manufactured between 2007 and 2010. Round your answer to 3 decimal places.

Answer 1

31.747 GW

Explanation:

The total cell capacity (C) manufactured in the time period is the integral of the rate of manufacture. So, we have ...

`C=\displaystyle\int\limits^3_0 {3.7e^(0.61t)} \, dt=(3.7)/(0.61)(e^(0.61\cdot 3)-1)\approx 31.747 \quad\text{GW}`

About 31.747 GW of generating capacity was manufactured in that time interval.