6 Minute English / Space-saving solar hacks

Note: This is not a word-for-word transcript.

Hello. This is 6 Minute English from BBC Learning English. I m Neil.

And I m Beth. As the world switches from fossil fuels to renewable sources of energy, solar panels are appearing in more and more places and with good reason.

Yes. Today, the world is generating 10 times more solar electricity than a decade ago, and what's more, solar is the only energy source on track to meet the UN s 2050 net zero targets.

But there s a problem: space. As the rooftops in our cities and towns get filled up with solar panels, finding space for them becomes difficult. In this programme we ll be exploring two surprising solar projects to build PV panels in all kinds of weird and wonderful places. And, as usual, we'll be learning some useful new vocabulary too.

Great! But first I have a question for you, Beth. Harnessing the power of the sun is not new, in fact solar power dates back over 2,700 years. In 213 BC, mirrors were used to reflect sunlight back onto Roman ships attacking the city of Syracuse, causing them to catch fire. But which ancient Greek philosopher was responsible for this solar heat ray? Was it:

a) Archimedes?

b) Socrates? or,

c) Pythagoras?

I think it was Pythagoras.