20 Facts About Solar Energy Everyone Must Know (2024)

Dr. Nick Becker
Dr. Nick Becker

Dr. Nick Becker, a pioneering sustainability expert and serial entrepreneur, seamlessly blends green technology and business acumen. With a Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering, he has co-founded groundbreaking startups and been featured on Forbes' "30 Under 30". His TEDx talk catalyzes tech-driven sustainability. Dr. Becker's passion for a greener future drives global change.

Introduction

Dr. Nick Becker is a visionary sustainability expert and seasoned serial entrepreneur, adept at harmonizing the realms of green technology and astute business acumen.

Highlights

With a distinguished Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering, Dr. Becker has embarked on an extraordinary journey, co-founding trailblazing startups that are catalysts for transformation. His achievements have garnered industry recognition, earning him a coveted spot on Forbes' prestigious "30 Under 30" list.

Experience

A captivating orator, Dr. Becker's TEDx talk serves as a powerful catalyst, igniting a wave of tech-driven sustainability. His fervent commitment to ushering in a greener future has a profound impact on global change.

Solar energy plays a significant role in how we power our homes and more in the future, as its acceptance and use worldwide are growing. There has been considerable discussion and advancement in the sector over the past few decades. 

Also, as solar technology becomes more popular worldwide, its importance is growing.

There are many other facts about solar energy that may surprise you. So, learn more about this world’s largest energy source that is universally accessible.

20 Fascinating Solar Facts

1. Solar Energy is Cost-effective

One of the most affordable energy sources, solar power, will become more affordable as technology develops. Over the past ten years, the cost of installing solar has decreased by 60%, encouraging the industry to grow. More than $33 billion in private investment was made in the American economy alone.

2. More Solar Energy is Available Than You May Realize

The sun provides an abundant supply of energy, which is entirely free. Even though the sun is 90 million miles away from the planet, light can traverse that distance in less than 10 minutes.

Not only is it a powerful and all-natural energy source, but it also impacts the earth every hour with enough availability to meet the planet’s energy needs for an entire year.

3. Plants Use Solar Energy Too

Green plants use photosynthesis to transform solar energy into chemical energy. Agriculture and horticulture aim to utilize solar energy as much as possible. They include coordinating planting cycles and blending different plant species. The sunlight gets converted into heat in greenhouses to support the year-round production of particular crops.

Facts About Solar - Photosynthesis - Image of the sun rising over a corn field

4. First Use of PV was in 1939

French scientist Edmond Becquerel first recognized the PV effect in 1839 when he realized power generation from an electrolytic cell increased after exposure to light.

5. Solar Panels to Not Need Direct Sunlight to Charge

Solar energy detractors frequently assert that all it takes is one cloudy day for the power to go off. While it is true that solar panels are less effective in cloudy conditions, this does not imply that they are ineffective. On a cloudy day, solar panels are still only 40% efficient. 

6. Solar is the Ultimate Source of Renewable Electricity

Solar energy is converted into electricity using photovoltaics or concentrated solar power. The photovoltaic system utilizes the photoelectric effect to transform solar energy into electrical energy.

7. No Need for Ongoing Resource Consumption

After solar panels are established, maintenance expenses are minimal compared to conventional power-producing methods. It may produce enormous volumes of electricity without the cost and constant nudge of getting a fuel supply.

8. Solar Can Power Your Entire Home 

Solar energy can be used to power lighting, air conditioners and space heaters, water heaters, ventilation fans, and more electric appliances. It is the safest and greenest option to run your home, and modern solar technology and batteries make it easy to have your whole home running on solar. 

9. Solar Farms Can Provide Energy to the Grid 

A solar farm is a vast gathering of photovoltaic (PV) solar panels that collect energy from the sun, convert it into electricity, and deliver that to the power grid for distribution and consumption by consumers like you.

Solar farms, also known as solar parks or photovoltaic power plants, can be any size and shape and are typically mounted to the ground rather than on rooftops.

Facts About Solar Energy - Arial view of a Solar Farm with large banks of solar panels in a grid pattern

10. Solar  is Effective All Year – Even in Winter

You may believe that your solar panels would produce less electricity when the weather becomes colder, but that is simply untrue. In actuality, winter is also a better time to use solar panels. The white snow reflects sunlight, assisting the solar panels in capturing it.

Your panels won’t be able to collect anything, though, if they are coated with snow. The panels are tilted in part because of this. The snow will start to melt and slide off on its own!

11. The Space Industry was the First to Use Solar Energy

One of the earliest sectors to embrace renewable technologies was the space sector.

The space industry started utilizing renewable technology to power spaceships in the 1950s. The oldest man-made spacecraft in orbit, Vanguard 1, the first artificial satellite powered by solar cells, has traveled more than 6 billion miles.

As well as for large-scale ground systems that produce clean electricity from sunshine, panels are now a typical component on satellites and rovers exploring other worlds like Mars or Venus. The International Space Station is entirely solar-powered.

The video by NowThis News is a must-watch if you wish to know some more surprising facts about solar power, the video is a must-watch.

12. Solar is the Most Accessible Renewable Energy Source

Solar power generation is relatively easy and basic compared to other energy-gathering methods. Grid-tied systems can be installed in as little as one day and integrate seamlessly with current electrical infrastructure.

13. Solar is Also Great as a Temporary Power Solution

Solar energy is also rising in popularity when there is a temporary demand for electricity. Places like mining locations, regional and state fairs, and occasions like the Olympics use solar energy in their temporary set-up.

14. Top Producers of Solar Energy Include China, US and EU

More than 48 GW of photovoltaic (PV) capacity was installed in China, the world’s leading producer of solar energy, in 2020.

Top solar producers include the United States, Vietnam, Japan, the EU, and the US.

15. Solar Plants Can Stay in Use for Up to 40 Years 

After a solar power plant is built, it enters into a power supply agreement with its clients that is typically good for 20 to 25 years. This implies that a solar energy plant must operate for more than 20 years after it is created.

Additionally, solar panels may last for 40 to 50 years in total. After that, more advanced and efficient panels might be installed in their place. Solar panel installation can be a significant investment, but it is well worth it.

16. Rural Economies Benefit from Solar Power

Rural locations, where ranchers and farmers often desire to diversify their income, are where you’ll find most utility-scale solar farms. Landowners receive rent payments for the use of their property. It gives them a reliable source of supplementary income that enables them to carry on their farms and ranches to the next generation.

Solar energy is a desirable new income crop to support ranching, farming, and other activities. Additionally, many local governments use the additional tax income generated by solar farms to pay for urgently required road, school, and bridge repairs.

17. Solar Increases Your Property Value

One more notable fact about solar energy is that your electricity costs would be reduced if solar panels were installed in your home or business. Most of the time, you’ll even get paid for the energy your system generates.

 Additionally, there are many tax breaks and rebates available that are intended to promote solar energy use while also saving homeowners money.

Facts About Solar Power - Solar on the Roof of a modern home

18. Solar is One of the Quietest Sources of Energy

Noise pollution is one of the most significant contemporary issues. Almost everything we do creates noise, and this noise may be quite harmful to both people and animals. This is particularly true regarding energy production, which is why large wind turbines won’t be located very close to any of our homes. 

But one significant difference to note between solar energy and other energy sources is that it is silent. Because of this, installing it in a home is perfect.

19. In the USA, California Produces the Most Solar Energy

California continues to lead the nation in the use of solar energy to generate electricity as of 2023. 32% of the nation’s total solar electricity production comes from California’s solar PV energy.

20. Solar Energy is Clean and Eco-Friendly

Solar energy is clean and green energy that does not pollute the environment. So, knowing its success, recent years have seen a tremendous increase in the number of solar panel installations. Solar Installation companies are going the extra mile to use this abundant source. 

Knowing the facts about why solar energy is more widely used and reasonably priced than ever, isn’t it time you join this revolutionary change and get your property solar powered?

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Solar Energy Function at Night? 

Does going solar mean that you won't have power at night because your solar panels won't function if the sun isn't out? Obviously not! Even while using solar energy, you remain connected to the grid. The grid and the solar system function together. Your solar system generates more energy during the day than is required for your home to operate at that time. Your meter records the extra that is returned to the grid as the excess. Check out the full guide for more info on how Solar Energy functions at night.

Can my roof have solar panels? 

Not all roofs are ideal for solar. It might be great for solar if your roof area faces south, east, or west and isn't shadowed. Solar won't work if you have trees that completely shade your roof and you're not prepared to chop or remove the trees. Check out the full guide for more great facts about solar energy.

Does a solar photovoltaic system produce the same energy during the day?

Your solar system awakens typically at around 6 am and goes to sleep at around 6 or 7 pm since solar PV depends on how much sunlight it receives to function. The energy production progressively rises, reaches a peak at noon, and then begins to decline as the sun begins to set. However, since the solar energy produced is integrated with either your batteries or your existing electrical connection, the operation of your electrical devices is not hampered. And all of your electrical appliances are completely safe if your solar PV system is designed correctly. Check out the full guide for more info.

References 

Solar Energy Insights: Solar Energy Facts   

Conserve Energy Future: Facts About Solar Energy You Can’t Afford to Miss

RevoluSun: 65 Facts About Solar Energy

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