We are all familiar by now with the fact that using solar energy to produce electricity has many benefits, both for us and for the environment. One of the most important renewable energy sources that people can use, solar energy harnesses power straight from the sun and transforms it into electricity you need for your home, office, farm, and so on. Today, we are going to explore the concept of solar energy, by looking at the reasons why more people should use it, and providing you with some interesting solar energy facts. Let’s begin, shall we?

Why Do We Need Solar Energy?

Because our Earth needs every source of renewable energy it can get. Since we draw solar energy directly from the sun, it protects the environment from any waste. It also lowers the carbon footprint considerably. That is visible in the number of people who have switched to solar energy. For instance, in the U.S., solar energy is the most used type of renewable energy. But why is that? Well, first of all because the resources are unlimited. So everybody can use it without fearing that they might run out after a while.

Secondly, people who install solar panels on their homes pay 50% less on their electric bills than people who still use electricity the traditional way. Not to mention that, because so many people are starting to open up to the idea of solar energy, the prices for installing solar panels are also decreasing, making it affordable for a large number of people.

The planet also benefits a great deal from us switching to solar energy. For instance, solar power doesn’t produce the dangerous greenhouse gases that contribute to an accelerated global warming process. Moreover, it doesn’t pollute the air or water, that way protecting the habitat as well.

Solar Energy Facts You Should Know

Now that we’ve talked about the basics of solar energy and why we should use it more, let’s take a look at some facts that you maybe didn’t know about. If you are still undecided whether this type of renewable energy source is the right choice for you or not, these solar energy facts will definitely convince you to try it out.

1. Solar energy risks no blackouts. So if you are tired of not being able to take care of your daily tasks because of a blackout, you should know that once you harness the power of the sun, you will always have electricity.

2. People like to use solar energy in temporary locations. Let’s say you want to organize an event outside. Or maybe you want to open up a fair that will only last for a few days. That is the perfect setting for some solar energy panels, since bringing non-renewable energy to the site might be a real chore.

3. Did you know that solar energy panels work at night too? This is actually one of the most surprising solar energy facts yet. So in case you were worried that you will only have electricity while the sun is shining, worry no longer. Solar panels work to store energy from the sun, precisely to have plenty to use when the time is right.

4. You don’t have to worry about maintenance for your outdoor solar-powered lighting. Just install them, and let the sun take care of the rest.

5. Clouds don’t affect solar panels. How come, you ask? Well, the solar generators that you can find in the solar panels have the ability to store a lot of energy from the sun, which lasts for days at a time and can be used when needed without running the risk of it being wasted.

6. And if you’ve ever wondered, solar energy also provides more security. Traditional energy sources can sometimes have a hard time reaching remote areas such as parking lots and parks. Which leads to poorly-lit and less secure environments. However, you can solve that problem by using a solar energy panel.

7. Have we already mentioned that solar energy is free? Of course, you have to pay to install the solar panels, but that is an investment definitely worth doing. Because once they are installed, you will get access to constant electricity for free. Doesn’t that sound great? No more expensive electricity bills, just old-fashioned energy from the sun.

8. Solar panels are wireless. That is to say, we don’t connect them to other sources of power to help them provide electricity, which is one of the most remarkable solar energy facts yet.

9. Maybe you are wondering how the sun, being so far away from the Earth, manages to provide so many people with energy almost instantly. Well, energy from the sun travels an impressive number of 93,000,000 miles in only 8 minutes and 19 seconds.

10. Along the same lines, the solar energy that reaches the Earth every hour can provide the entire population with energy for a whole year. Isn’t that impressive?

11. Even if so many people are now using it, you should know that humans are currently using 0.01% of the sun’s entire energy. So if more people start relying on this renewable energy source, this won’t affect how much solar energy the rest of the planet receives.

12. A lot of third world countries are using solar energy, since their population is struggling with access to traditional energy sources.

13. But what are the world leaders in solar energy consumption? China is number one on that list, with Germany being a close second.

14. People use a lot of this type of renewable energy in agriculture and horticulture, which is one of the most interesting solar energy facts you should be aware of. Greenhouses for instance, have the ability to transform energy from the sun into heat, which they use to help grow crops all year round.

15. Even astronauts use solar energy in space missions. Yes, you heard that right. A lot of countries sending spaceships into outer space are looking into using energy from the sun to power them.

16. Specialists believe that in the next 10 years, the solar energy industry will grow between 20 and 40 percent each year. This is, of course, great news for our environment.

17. Have you ever wondered how much a solar energy installation will last? Well, the answer is really great. You don’t have to worry about the condition of your installation for about 30 years.

18. When did the first solar panels appear on the market? This happened in 1956, and it has been a growing industry ever since.

19. Have you ever heard of solar distillation? Solar energy can also be used to purify water from contamination, the process being called solar distillation.

20. Another great news for people that want to install solar panels on their homes is that some U.S. states are offering tax incentives, just to convince people to switch to a renewable energy source.

21. Saudi Arabia wants to achieve a 100% solar energy powered future. To this purpose, they are investing $109 billion.

22. What are some general uses of solar energy? That is definitely something that should interest you if you want to use it in your home. You can use solar energy to produce light, both for indoors and outdoors, use appliances such as calculators, power cars, heat swimming pools, or even cook food. It is no wonder then that so many people are interested in giving up the traditional energy source in favor of an environment-friendly and cost-effective one.

23. With solar energy, you don’t have to worry about noise pollution. Solar panels have no moving parts, and they require no exterior help to provide you with power, other than the sun.

24. Most people agree that using solar energy is a big part of our planet’s future. Since we are constantly looking for alternative energy sources that will protect our environment, our safest bet seems to be energy coming from the sun. With the pros definitely outweighing the cons, it should come as no surprise that a lot of people are switching to this renewable energy source.

What Have We Learned about Solar Energy?

First of all, we have learned that solar energy is a renewable energy source that can be used by humans to create power and help preserve the environment in the process. It only requires an investment at the beginning, and the rest of it is free for about 30 years. Our solar energy tips have also revealed a lot of benefits of using solar energy, and how more and more countries are trying to incorporate this industry. People are encouraged to switch to solar energy, and they seem to be satisfied with the results, which can only be great news for our planet.

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