Solar Energy Information

Looking for Solar Power Information and fun facts?

Here's our ever growing page of interesting solar facts.

Over the years we've gathered an eclectic collection of solar energy information, facts and interesting tidbits. We've compiled them here for you.





Did You Know That...?

• Did you know that in 1767 Horace de Saussure invented the first solar cooker. It was capable of reaching temperatures of 230 degrees F. hot enough to boil water!



• Solar cells (and computer chips) are composed of silicon. The main ingredient in sand is silica which is vastly abundant on our planet. The process of converting the silica into silicon is laborious and expensive and that's what makes solar panels so expensive.



• A Spray On Solar Product currently exists and will soon be on the market?



• Sheets of solar cells that can be attached to almost any surface will soon be produced bringing the cost of some solar applications down dramatically.



• The sunlight that reaches the earth in 20 days provides an equivalent amount of energy to all of the coal, oil and natural gas reserves stored within the earth.



• In 40 minutes the sun spills enough energy on the Earth's surface to provide the entire population of the planet with energy for one year.



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



• Each day enough sunlight falls upon the earth to provide energy (at our current rate of consumption) to all of the earth's inhabitants for 27 years.



• The entire continental US could be powered by 100 square miles of solar panels placed in the US's southwestern quadrant.



• A solar water heater can reduce water heating costs by 50% to 80% each year.



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



• 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.



• An average home in the U.S. on the 38th parallel (southern border) uses 25 KWH per day or 9,125 KWH per year.
  Even after reducing your consumption to 15 KWH per day a home solar system would cost...... $72,900.USD and up (without subsudies, tax credits, etc.)



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



• In 2006 Japan (the leader) produced 39% of the world's solar cells.

Always on the lookout, we'll add interesting tidbits and other solar energy information along the way.

We hope you enjoyed the solar energy information we've gathered in our research.