Solar energy is the energy from the sun, and the most interesting fact is that it is free of cost. The majority of solar panels can produce eight to ten kilowatts of energy per square foot. Solar energy is the energy from the sun, and the most interesting fact is that it is free of cost. The entire installation package cost averages around $16,800, but if you apply tax credits, the total installation will probably sit between $10,045 and $13,475. Every square meter of our planet receives around 1,366 watts of direct solar radiation. How Much Does it Cost to Install Solar on an Average US House? Where is the world’s largest solar power plant? Energy use in America is doubling every 20 years.3. 1) Solar Energy Is The Most Abundant Energy Resource On The Planet. Many states allow you to sell the excess solar energy you produce, meaning you can not only earn back the cost of your panels but also make a profit on energy in the long run. Solar energy has been harvested organically by plants and microorganisms since the beginning of life. Solar power is an exciting, eco-friendly, and ever-expanding industry. In the 1950s, the space industry began to use solar technology to provide power aboard spacecraft. Solar energy unlike other sources of energy such as coal, oil, nuclear, and natural gas leaves no known residue. Trees need sunlight for photosynthesis. Read on to learn about some solar energy facts that may surprise you. Most solar panels have a 25-year warranty, and if you rent or lease, most companies provide free maintenance. Some rare and interesting facts 1. Until the sun fizzles out, solar power will continue to be a very reliable energy source; our ability to harvest solar energy is solely dependent on technology, location, cost, and legislation. When Will Rooftop Solar Be Cheaper Than the Grid? Solar energy works by converting sunlight into power. Solar cells are priced per watt. Solar energy refers to energy from the sun. Solar energy is very safe for the environment, since it produces negligibly small amounts of elements, and only during the process of manufacturing the solar materials. Sunlight takes a little over eight minutes to reach Earth and a few seconds longer to make contact with your solar panels. China has the most solar power wattage in the world—78,100 gigawatts—followed by Japan, Germany, the United States, and Italy. 20. You can use solar power to run your entire home. When the sunbeams, solar energy can be stored in solar panels. Is there an affordable way to store the solar power you produce? How to Choose a Solar Company: A Step-by-Step Guide. The Vanguard 1 -- the first artificial earth satellite powered by solar cells -- remains the oldest manmade satellite in orbit -- logging more than 6 billion miles. In the United States, solar panels need to face south to capture optimal sunlight. Countries are coming up together to fight global warming and innovate ways to produce clean and green energy. Solar power is measured like all electricity—in watts (kilowatts, megawatts, gigawatts, and terawatts). Thank you and keep sharing the knowledge. Solar energy is the energy being produced by the sun for millions and billions of years. One Hour of Sunlight Equals One Year’s Worth of Solar Energy for the Entire Earth Solar power begins with solar energy, which is energy that is produced by the sun. Find out the answers to these questions and more with our range of solar power facts and general information. It is an ideal replacement for non-renewable energy sources because it is available and applicable in almost all machines that … However, humans have only known about solar power since the 1830s, when Alexandre Edmond Becquerel discovered the photovoltaic effect. 2. The entire world uses solar energy every day. For more solar trivia, tips and tricks, check out these 50 facts about solar energy! One of the other interesting facts about solar energy is that the amount of energy the Earth receives from the Sun each second is about 1367 Watts per square meter. The harnessing of solar is by the use of contemporary technology like artificial photosynthesis, solar heating et al. Our sun has been shining for over four and a half billion years. The amount of solar energy that hits the earth in one hour could fulfill all the earth’s energy needs for an entire year! How much do solar panels cost in the U.S. Average Monthly Electrical Bill by State – Updated Data, 2016 Snapshot of Global Photovoltaic Markets, First Solar’s Cells Break Efficiency Record. This is an amazing source of solar power information. Solar panels are exempt from property taxes in many states and can. Sunlight is largely responsible for all life on Earth. However, large masses of water, bare land, and clouds absorb … Solar power is one of the cleanest, most sustainable, and most renewable resources in the world. California generates the most solar power, Here’s how much of the world would need to be covered in solar panels to power Earth. Solar Energy Never Ends. For controlling energy deficits, net metering is an easier and cheaper method than storing excess solar energy in batteries. That's more than 10,000 times the world's total energy use. Solar energy emits fewer greenhouse gas emissions as compared to fossil fuels. The amount of solar energy that Earth receives every hour is enough to fulfill the needs of entire population for 1 full year. It is used to heat water, power cars, and power highway road signs, produce power for lighting, cooking, and is … It takes the average homeowner six to fifteen years to pay off their solar panels; The average monthly electricity bill in America is about $110, as of 2013. Once you’ve installed, You don’t have to buy your solar panels outright; you can. As of 2016, the average cost of solar energy alone was about $0.12 per kilowatt. Using photovoltaic panels, we can convert the sun’s energy into usable electricity and power our homes, businesses, and more. Idle power consumes more electricity than all the solar panels in America combined. Great post. How can solar energy be used to make your home produce more energy … However, most modern solar units use net metering (a system hooked up to your city’s power grid that measures the difference between the energy you give back to the grid and the energy you use from the grid). The space industry was an early adopter of solar technology. is in abundance Firestone. The remaining 11% came primarily from petroleum imports.4. This is a good thing. Solar Power Authority helps you save money on your electricity bills by upgrading to solar energy. Investing for solar energy can pay for itself: Solar panel should be used by everyone to make the environment eco-friendly. The first solar-powered calculators were invented in 1978. One of the interesting solar energy facts is that only 50% of the Sun’s energy actually reaches the Earth’s surface. The solar energy market alone has created over 175,000 jobs in the United States.5. In 1917, Alexander Graham Bell predicted that "the unchecked burning of fossil fuels would have a sort of greenhouse effect&q Life on Earth would be very different without the atmosphere and clouds reflecting some solar energy back into space! Once the initial solar panel costs are covered, you will not need to spend a cent on the electricity they produce. The solar energy was put to use 200 years back itself. Solar Power Can Be Used to Heat Water. We don’t know why inventors always have such cool names, but we do know a slew of solar power facts—as it happens, we have 50 spotlighted below. Solar installation often ranges from $2.87 to $3.85 per watt. 3. The potential to harness solar power was first discovered by, The first commercial photovoltaic cell was invented in 1954 by, The first solar cells were available for purchase to the public in 1956, but at. Photovoltaic cells in solar panels cause a reaction between photons and electrons on an atomic scale. 1. Solar energy, radiation from the Sun capable of producing heat, causing chemical reactions, or generating electricity. Photovoltaic cells are commonly made from different types of silicon. In 1977, solar cells were unaffordable for most to purchase and install—costing around $77 per watt! Solar energy is the cleanest source of energy, requires no maintenance and easy to install. Solar power is one of the cleanest, most sustainable, and most renewable resources in the world. In 1954, Bell Laboratories built the first ever silicon solar cell. The world leader is renewable energy is China, followed by United States. One thousand watts equal one kilowatt, 1,000 kilowatts equal one megawatt, 1,000 megawatts equal one gigawatt, and 1,000 gigawatts equal one terawatt. Most solar panels have 200- or 250-watt capacities. What are solar panels? 3. #2 Nuclear Fusion – Every second, 600 million tons of protons are converted into helium atoms in the Sun to be released as energy. Solar panels harness this clean energy source by using photovoltaic cells. All you need is an area that’s exposed to the sun where you can install the solar panels, so your equipment can start … Solar energy is rapidly expanding in popularity. That means that solar power is inexhaustible. Read on to learn about where in the world solar energy is the most popular, how solar energy impacts our health, how much solar panels cost, and much more. Fact No.2. Fact: Burlington, Vermont, was the first city in America to achieve 100% sustainable energy production for its people. 1. A sunny location receives an average of about 5.5 hours of sunlight per day every year, and a cloudy location on average receives 2.5 hours of sunlight per day of each year. Solar panel technology emerged in the 1800’s. In order to power the entire earth on renewable energy, we would need to install solar panels on over 191,000 square miles. Solar Energy Facts. China, U.S. and Japan accounts for about 2/3 of the global solar market. Solar power is … The United Sates invested $51.8 billion in clean energy in 2014 alone. It takes a village, right? Solar energy is radiant light and heat from the Sun that is harnessed using a range of ever-evolving technologies such as solar heating, photovoltaics, solar thermal energy, solar architecture, molten salt power plants and artificial photosynthesis.. Theoretically, the more humans who switch over to solar energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the greater the Earth’s capacity to harness solar energy. In 2016, one company achieved 22.1% efficiency in converting sunlight to energy with their cadmium telluride panels. How to Size a Solar PV System for Your Home, Solar Shingles 101: Pros, Cons & Best Brands, Ground-Mounted vs. Rooftop-Mounted Solar Panels, 50 Interesting Facts You Need to Know About Solar Energy, A History of Solar Cells: How Technology Has Evolved. That's just one interesting fact about solar power, but there are plenty more. It is the most important source of energy for life forms. Solar Power Facts. What Is Solar Energy? Learn how solar works, how much it costs, find solar companies, and get the best solar quote with Solar Power Authority. These solar panels transform energy into power in two different ways – photovoltaic, which is power used for electricity, and solar thermal, which is power used for heating. How much solar energy reaches the earth every second? 1-5 Solar Energy Facts 1. Required fields are marked *. Solar energy travels 93,000,000 miles from the sun and takes 8 minutes and 19 seconds to reach Earth. 1. 60% of the solar panels in U.S. were built in the past 3 years. It is a renewable source of energy, unlike non- renewable sources such as fossil fuels. However. Wow! Solar energy is the energy from the sun, and it is renewable source of energy. No wonder they’re also leading producers and consumers of solar energy. Humans need sunlight for Vitamin D. Rain is created … When you buy solar panels, you’re eligible for a 30% tax break from the federal government—you could get thousands of dollars back on your taxes and offset the initial cost. Each point helps in understanding how one can save money and use the great resource of Sunlight and contribute to the global health and no pollution. Solar power does not create any noise pollution; solar panels silently create energy from the sun’s rays. The sun has produced energy for billions of years. Pretty neat, huh? Arizona and California are the sunniest states in America. When photons (light rays) collide with electrons, the electrons get catapulted loose. Fact #1 – What Solar Energy Is. Studies have shown that renewable energy such as solar energy has a lower impact on the environment than fossil fuels over the lifespan of both these power sources. 19. The world leader is renewable energy is China, followed by United States. Solar cell’s efficiency may be as little as 4% (organic cells) or as much as 40% (experimental multiple-junction solar cells). Pollution can obscure the sun’s rays and stop light from reaching the Earth. Fact: the cost of solar panels has dropped by 80% since 2008. Let’s explore more facts about solar energy. Your email address will not be published. The journal Scientific American explains that in terms of abundance on Earth, solar energy “dwarfs all the other renewable energy resources combined—including wind, hydropower and geothermal”. 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