Facts About Solar Energy

The solar energy information and facts page

Just the Facts About Solar Energy. Did you know that you're already using solar energy in it's simplest form? Here's easy to understand solar power information and interesting facts that put things into perspective.

Interesting solar energy information we've collected throughout the years.

facts about solar energy

Solar power is anything but new, the warmth and light that the sun pours on the earth have been used for thousands of years to dry food and clothing and to warm dwellings.

In more recent years we've learned to capture and use solar energy in more sophisticated ways and proved that it's potential as a green energy source is mind boggling.

Here we share dozens of amazing solar energy facts and information that point out just how versatile and renewable this resource is.

The Facts About Solar Energy ~ General

The solar energy (sunlight) that falls upon the earth in 20 days, provides energy in an amount equivalent to all of the oil, coal and natural gas reserves stored within the earth.

The amount of energy the sun spills onto the earth in 40 minutes is enough to provide the entire population of the planet with energy for one year.

Every day, the amount of sunlight that reaches earth is enough to provide energy to all of the earth's inhabitants for 27 years (at our current rate of consumption).

100 square miles of solar panels placed in the US's southwestern quadrant could power the entire continental US.

Demand for solar energy has grown at a rate of approximately 25% per year since the early 1990's. In 2006 a 33% demand increase showed in the US market.

Fossil fuels began life as plants and animals that were reliant on the sun. In a quirky way, that makes fossil fuels solar energy.

The sun is a completely renewable form of energy.

Some forms of solar energy are free. Passive solar power is the manipulation of the heat and light of the sun for use in your household without expensive solar panels.

Capturing even a fraction of a percent of the sunlight that spills daily on the earth would vastly improve our environmental condition.

The conversion of solar power from DC to AC incurs a 12% power loss.

Solar energy is much more cost effective for island and remote territories than grid connection.

Solar energy has proven to be the most abundant renewable resource available to the world.

The Facts About Solar Energy ~ History

In 1921 (82 years after Edmond Becquerel demonstrated photovoltaic activity) Einstein was awarded the Nobel Prize for his theories on the photoelectric effect.

As early as 7th century BC, man discovered that directing a ray of sun through a piece of glass could start a fire if the ray fell upon something flammable.

By 3rd century BC, Greeks and Romans were setting ceremonial torches alight by reflecting sunlight through mirrors.

In 6th century AD sunlight was so respected as a source of heat and light that Justinian's Sun-Right Law provided for all buildings to have a right to the sun's rays. The law prevented the erection of new buildings that would block the sun to an existing structure.

The Anasazi cliff dwellings from the period of 1050 to 1300 AD were developed to use passive solar energy.

The first solar power cell was produced in 1883 using selenium as the semi conductive property. Very small amounts of electricity were forthcoming but it was a promising beginning.

The Facts About Solar Energy ~ Passive

It will cost about the same amount of money to include passive solar design concepts in a house design, as it will cost if you don't.

Passive solar power can save you thousands of dollars on energy costs and can cost very little to establish.

The Facts About Solar Energy ~ Thermal

In 20 years of use a solar water heater will prevent the release of roughly 50 tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

The first commercial solar water heater was patented in 1891 by Clarence Kemp, an inventor from Baltimore.

In 1767 the first solar cooker was invented by Horace de Saussure. Capable of reaching temperatures of 230 degrees F. it produced enough heat to boil water!

The Facts About Solar Energy ~ Photovoltaic

Solar cells are composed of silicon (the same substance used in computer chips). Silica is found in sand which is one of the most abundant substances on our planet.

A photovoltaic array is likely to keep producing solar energy for 40 years...or more. Systems established in the 1970's are still productive today.

Monocrystalline photovoltaic cells are composed of one (mono) silicon crystal. It takes a lot of time to grow one crystal thus monocrystalline is less available and more expensive than polycrystalline. However, monocrystalline is more effective in hot weather and collects light earlier in the morning and later at night than polycrystalline.

Polycrystalline photovoltaics are composed of many (poly) smaller crystals of silicon making them less expensive, more abundant, more available and unfortunately, less efficient.

The Facts About Solar Energy ~ Thin Film

Nano solar technology will soon be producing a spray on solar product that can turn almost any surface into a solar panel.

Thin film photovoltaic "panels" are being manufactured at a cost that is affordable to almost all of us.

Thin film technology (nano solar) has collectors so small that they can be incorporated into fabrics and paints.

At this point thin film is less efficient than photovoltaics. The marriage of the two of them will likely produce the collector we've all been waiting for - Efficient and inexpensive.

The Facts About Solar Energy ~ Cost

The process of converting the silica into silicon is laborious and expensive and that's what makes solar panels so expensive.

The initial cost of $1,500 to $3,000 for a solar water heater will be paid back in energy savings in under seven years.

Installing a solar power water heater can reduce water heating costs by 50% to 80% each year.

A residential solar system typically costs between $8 and $10 per watt.

As a comparison. The cost of a $15,000 car over 10 years ($15,000 + Insurance & registration - $500/yr + fuel & oil - $200/month + parking - $30/month) will be at least $35,600 (we have not factored in maintenance and our estimates are very low). At the end of the 10 years you will have a car that is worth almost nothing and has not saved you a single penny.
A $35,600 residential solar power system at the end of 10 years, will have already saved you (enter your energy costs here) and still have an expected life of 30 more years of producing free power for your home.

Like your home, a solar power system is an investment that pays for itself over time. It may take many years but it does pay for itself.

Updates ~ Facts About Solar Energy ~ Updates

May 2009 - Sanyo has announced their hybrid solar panel that incorporates both single cell silicon pv, with thin film making them the first on board the "generation 3" solar technology. Known by their registered trademark name of HIT they've achieved up to 17.1%. efficiency. Although that may not seem like much of a leap to you, remember that because this is a combination of pv with thin film (amorphous) technology the panels work for more hours per day and are capable of picking up spectrums of light that pv alone, can't.