Solar energy is gaining in popularity around the world, currently sitting third in the most used renewable energy charts, just behind hydropower and wind power. Everyone’s seen solar panels on homes and in fields surrounding cities. These panels absorb different frequencies within the sun’s rays and convert that energy into electricity that can be used to power modern homes and appliances.
Solar has been around for a while, but there’s still a lot that many people don’t know about it. In this article, you will find a few awesome facts about solar energy that you probably didn’t know. So, gr
Modern Solar Systems Are Smart Tech
Solar systems have been around for a while, but due to the advances in modern electrical technology, you can now get more from your panels in terms of usage and info. The professional solar power team over at windmar.com explains how modern systems include smart meters and online checking so you can see just how much energy is being generated, stored, and used at any given time. On their site, they say “All of our solar systems can be monitored via the internet. You can see solar production, consumption, and battery charge at any time.” This is an excellent advancement in solar energy, as it’s often been questioned by people with questions like “Will it generate enough power?” or “How do I know if I’m using all my solar energy?” This modern tech helps make it far easier to use and understand.
The Sun is More Powerful Than You Might Realise
Everyone knows that the sun provides light, heat, and energy to the planet. But, did you know that one hour’s worth of solar energy generated by the sun is enough to power everything on our planet for a year? Sadly, we’re not yet at the stage where this amount of power can be harnessed, but it just goes to show the potential of solar energy. Maybe if it had been adopted earlier, the use of fossil fuels would’ve been greatly reduced.
Solar Tech Has Been Around For Decades
Speaking of the early adoption of solar energy, the first cells were actually developed quite a long time ago – in 1941, to be precise. It was over 100 years earlier, in 1839, that the first scientist realized you could generate electricity from the sun’s light, known as the photovoltaic effect. This concept is still used today in modern solar technology. However, solar panels were not commercially available until 1959.
China Leads the Solar Race
Believe it or not, China currently leads the race for the most power generated by Solar panels. They sit in first place with over 175,000 MW being generated. There is then a huge drop to both Japan and the USA, sitting in 2nd and 3rd respectively with around 50,000 MW. As more countries rapidly upgrade their solar systems, you can expect the top ten to quickly change.
Direct Sunlight Is Not Required
A lot of people worry about getting solar panels installed as it is not constantly sunny where they live. You can see why this would seem like an issue, but, fortunately, it is not! Solar panels do not simply absorb energy from direct sunlight. They absorb energy from all the light in the spectrum, meaning even slightly overcast or cloudy days can generate a substantial amount of solar energy. Speak to an expert in your area who will explain just how much energy you can expect to generate.
Solar Can Pay For Itself
No matter where you live, you can generate enough solar power that you’ll save money in the long run. Even if it seems expensive to install, once it’s up and running, you’ll never need to pay an energy bill again. Over the years, you’ll quickly repay the initial cost by having fewer monthly bills to pay. Most people see a return on their investment within 3 years, however, you’ll notice the lack of bills dropping through your letterbox right away! Once again, if you reach out to a solar expert in your town, they’ll advise you on prices and how much you should be able to save. For helpful tips on solar panel installation, check out efficient solar panel installation in Salem OR.
Hopefully, you have learned a little bit more about solar energy whilst reading this short article. It’s a fascinating subject where technology just keeps improving. Luckily, we’ve got another 5.5 billion years until the sun burns up. Harvest that solar energy now, it’ll last a lifetime!