Interesting Facts About Solar Energy

Solar energy is becoming more prevalent in our everyday lives. Not only does generating our own power make us more environmentally secure it also makes us more economically secure.

The use of solar power allows us to stop counting on non-renewable energy sources that we need to survive. Because harnessing solar power reduces our dependency on these dirty fuels that are harmful to the environment. And since solar energy is an abundant power source, it won’t run out any time soon as well.

So, let’s take a look at fifteen interesting facts about solar energy, that you might not know:

1. Solar energy is the most plentiful energy supply on Earth. Because, since the sun is shining constantly, even if clouds are blocking it, it still could supply the whole world’s energy needs.
2. Nowadays, the demand for solar is at an all-time high. With the prices of solar panels decreasing and their availability increasing, many homeowners and businesses are installing solar panels as an alternative way to generate power.
3. Harnessing solar energy doesn’t produce pollution. But the solar panel manufacturing and installation processes are still flawed, so they do have some negative impact on the environment.
4. Solar panels work best and produce the most energy when in direct sunlight. However, they are still able to work in the partial sun. Meaning that even on cloudy days and during the winter solar panels are still generating energy.
5. Solar power is the cleanest, and most sustainable resource in the world.
6. In many states, you are allowed to sell any excess solar energy you produce. So, not only are you saving money on your energy bills, you can even make money from the excess solar power you do not chew up.
7. The first silicon solar cell was built in 1954 at Bell Laboratories by Daryl Chapin, Calvin Fuller, and Gerald Pearson. During their demonstration, they powered a toy Ferris wheel and a radio transmitter.
8. Solar panels are silent and do not create any noise pollution.
9. Anything that is run by oil, natural gas, or electricity can be run by solar power as well.
10. The Mojave Desert is home to the world’s largest solar power plant. It covers over 1000 acres.
11. For the most part, solar panels are maintenance-free and require no additional expenses for them to produce solar energy. Once solar panels are installed, they just need to be cleaned a couple of times a year.
12. Using a battery backup allows solar energy to provide electricity 24 hours a day.
13. The solar industry is creating jobs six times faster than any other job market.
14. It wasn’t long after the first solar cell was built that the space industry started integrating solar technology into their projects. The remains of the first solar-powered man-made satellite, the Vanguard 1, is still in orbit today even though it is no longer operational.
15. In 2016, an airplane was able to fly completely around the earth using only solar power.

The benefits of solar energy are endless, and more discoveries are being made every day. With these new advancements, solar panels are becoming more mainstream than ever. Just look around you. You will probably see someone in your neighborhood using solar lights or harnessing the power of the sun via solar panels. Which means that the future of solar energy is looking very bright. So why not start benefiting from solar power yourself?