Apart from the pollution given off during panel manufacturing, solar power produces no pollution, which is a by-product of non-renewable energy consumption and one of the biggest global killers.3 Pollution affects as many people as HIV or malaria and has serious effects on children, older adults, and all living plants and animals. Here are the top 51 solar energy facts: Facts about Solar History. Moreover, you will reduce your carbon footprint by using solar energy, since it is totally green and renewable.Solar energy users save, annually, as much as 75 million barrels of oil and 35 million tonnes of carbon dioxide. One can use renewable energy technologies to convert solar energy into electricity. (And 5 Ways to Dispose of), Is Junk Mail Recyclable? According to the market reports of Solar Energy Industries Association and GTM Research, the cost of a solar cell now is just $0.21 per watt as compared to the $77 per watt of 1977. Find ways to save energy for a better life style. Photosynthesis can create a variety of fuels. The photoelectric effect is used by Photovoltaic to convert solar energy into electric energy. Fact 4: The earth gets 174 Petawatts of incoming solar radiation in the upper atmosphere. Though the sun is 90 million miles from the earth, it takes less than 10 minutes for light to travel from that much of distance. Fact 25: The earth receives about 1,366 watts of direct solar radiation per square meter. Fact 11: Clothes can be dried in the sun using clotheslines, cloth racks etc. Fact 9: Solar chimneys are passive solar ventilation systems. Passive technology includes constructing rooms to improve air circulation, orienting space to use sunlight favorably. But do you really know how big solar energy really is, how fast it is growing and how big its impact is? These include techniques like the timing of planting cycles and the mixing of plant varieties. Last but not least, the fact is that the prices of the solar panels have dipped by over 70% in recent times despite more people actively thinking of installing solar energy harnessing panels in their residence and commercial buildings. Fact 36: Solar energy is used in many applications including Electricity, Evaporation, Biomass, Heating water and buildings and even for transport. Fact 38: Solar energy has been used for over 2700 years. Fact 15: Thermal storage systems can store solar energy in the form of heat by using common materials with high specific heat such as stone, earth and water. This means that, once it has been established, a solar energy plant has to last for more than two decades. Solar energy also has some limitations: 1. Making the decision to go green by converting to solar power is definitely a good one. Solar energy is going through a surge in adoption right now. Solar energy is red hot. As of now, only one-tenth of global energy needs is supplied by solar energy, but the potential for the future is mind-boggling. Fact 14: Solar chemical processes replace fossil fuels as a source for chemical energy and can make solar energy storable and transportable. Bonus fact: Solar energy is in a rapid growth in Sweden each year growing by 96%. Without using electricity or chemicals, waste water can be treated. Fact 22: Solar energy is very reliable source of energy. Fact 3: The solar technology can be distinguished into active and passive. The sun has produced energy for billions of years. The sun has produced energy for billions of years. The higher the efficiency of the material, the more expensive it will be to manufacture it. Fact 33: By relying on battery backup, solar energy can even provide electricity 24×7, even on cloudy days and at night. Creating salt from sea water is also one of the oldest uses of solar energy. Fact 39: The sun is also the main source of non-renewable fossil fuels (coal, gas and petroleum), which began life as plants and animals millions of years ago. (And How To Keep Them Away). About 30% is reflected back to space, and the rest is absorbed by oceans, clouds and landmasses. The amount of sunlight that arrives at the earth's surface is not constant. Photosynthesis can create a variety of fuels. In 1917, Alexander Graham Bell predicted that "the unchecked burning of fossil fuels would have a sort of greenhouse effect&q Also, the solar panels might be good to go for a total of 40 to 50 years. Fact 38: Solar … As such research in alternative, renewable energy technology like that of solar and wind energy gained momentum. Fact 29: Solar panels are virtually maintenance free since the batteries require no water or other regular service and will last for years. Fact 8: Solar powered hot water systems utilize solar energy to heat water. Plants convert the energy in sunlight into chemical energy (sugars and starches) through the process of photosynthesis. Fact 23: With new advancements in scientific researches, solar energy could be more affordable in future with decreasing costs and increasing efficiency. 2. It is a renewable source of energy unlike non- renewable sources such as fossil fuels. In 700 BC, glass lenses were used to make fire by magnifying the sun’s rays. 3. Green energy produced by the sun is considered to be the future of alternative energy because it helps combat the greenhouse effect … So, solar energy is energy from the sun. Here are a few facts on solar energy that can help you assess the potential of solar energy to meet global requirements. Fact 36: Solar energy is used in many applications including Electricity, Evaporation, Biomass, Heating water and buildings and even for transport. For e.g. Fact 44: It might be a little difficult to believe at first, but the fact is that solar energy is cheaper than fossil fuels. It’s hard to believe, is it not? Greenhouses are also used to convert light into heat to promote year-round cultivation of special crops. In December 2016, the cost of building and installing new solar electricity generation dropped to $1.65 per watt, narrowly beating out its renewable counterpart wind ($1.66/Watt) and its fossil fuel competitors. Solar energy technologies use the sun’s energy to light homes, produce hot water, heat homes as shown in solar tankless water heater reviews and electricity. Fact 27: Solar energy is the preferred mode of creating power where the need is temporary. All in all, they are a very wise and a very valuable investment. solar, wind and geothermal energy. Fact 1: Solar energy is a completely free source of energy and it is found in abundance. 2. It is how solar energy is converted into electricity by using either photovoltaic (direct method) or concentrated solar power (indirect). The main benefit of solar energy is that it does not produce any pollutants and is one of the cleanest source of energy. Shafts connect the interior and exterior of the building. Here are a few facts on solar energy that can help you assess the potential of solar energy to meet global requirements. Fact 3: Solar technology can be distinguished into active and passive. After passing through the Earth's atmosphere, most of the Sun's energy is in the form of visible light and infrared light radiation. Plants that Do not produce any pollutants and is converted into electricity in molten salts surface not... Fact 30: solar chimneys are passive solar ventilation systems per second our and. Making the decision to go green by converting to solar power ( indirect ) Believe, is Junk Mail,! 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