Interesting facts about Solar Energy

Solar energy has been gathered by people and used for all kinds of purposes for over 2000 years. Interesting facts about solar energy is dedicated to teaching you about the past, present and future of this great source of renewable energy which only a small percentage of us are using to it’s current potential.

Solar energy is the main source of clean energy for all of earths life forms. Although a small amount of pollution can be created when solar panels are manufactured, transported and installed, it’s nothing compared to the larger amounts of pollution created in processing and using fossil fuels and nuclear energy.

Do Solar Panels Need Maintenance?

Once solar panels are installed maintenance is generally very low and usually only consists of inspecting and cleaning off any debris or objects that block the panel from collecting solar energy from the sun.

What’s the Life expectancy of Solar Panels?

Most outdoor solar panels used today are going to be weatherproof, are expected to endure a wide variety of weather conditions and will have a life expectancy of between 20-40 years. As a rule of thumb the manufacturer may warranty the solar panel from 3 to 25 years. As with other products, the warranties, power output and life expectancy can vary greatly so do your homework.

Do Solar Panels Create Pollution

Once the solar panel is setup and working, the panel it’s self no longer creates any type of pollution which helps us to see how any pollution made in the manufacturing and transportation process is dismal compared to other sources of energy which continue to create pollution throughout the energy creating process.

If your using solar energy panels to create electric then you’re taking an important step in helping the environment.

Photovoltaic Solar Panel Price

The cost for of photovoltaic solar panels have dropped approximately 80% over the past 5 years. In the 3rd quarter of 2012 the cost for residential photovoltaic solar panel installation averaged $5.21 per watt and the cost for commercial solar panel installation averaged $4.18 per watt. We’ve seen prices offered as low as $2.50 per watt for residential rooftop solar panel installation.

Be sure to check the most recent solar incentive programs and federal tax credits.

In some areas, any excess energy produced can be transferred to a grid and purchased from you by the local energy company. As of the first quarter of 2013 we saw a price of 7.5 cents per kilowatt offered by TXU Energy of Texas.

Below are some interesting facts about solar energy:

• Solar energy can be used in many ways, from cooking food to heating or cooling houses, powering automobiles, aircraft and providing energy to buildings.
• With the use of micro inverters you can track the power output of each solar panel.
• One megawatt of energy can power 1000 average U.S homes for about one hour.
• In July 2012 the first ever intercontinental round trip of a solar powered plane completed it’s 4,000 mile project to raise public awareness that solar energy can be a reliable source of energy.
• In July 2012 the United States Bureau of Land Management announced that 285,000 acres across 6 of the nations states were prime areas for solar energy development and plans to move forward.
• The largest solar plant in the world can be found in the Mojave desert and can create approximately 354 megawatts and it covers a total of about 1,000 acres,with 9 solar thermal plants.
• Solar energy can only be produced during daylight to make electricity. That energy has to be used during the night but the production stops when the sun goes down.
• Solar panels which are also known as photovoltaic panels are made mostly from silicon.
• Researchers are working on a solar window film that could eventually be used on the windows of homes to reduce energy costs. Researchers say it could possibly even be sprayed on one day.
• Even though you have to invest more initially to buy the solar panels, with  solar panel costs dropping, you should now be able to save money.
• Robots that install solar panels around the clock and in all types of weather are current being developed and tested.
• Solar power history dates back to at least 700 BC, when the sun rays were used to create fire, with the help of magnifying glasses.
• Passive solar designs were used for the first time by Romans and Greeks. Their buildings were facing south, so the sun could light and heat the indoor areas.
• The year when the first solar panels were released was 1956. Two years later space programs began using them and they remained an important source of energy ever since. One example is the International Space Station, which uses solar energy.
• We’re working to grow the interesting facts about solar energy page so be sure to remember to come back.