Interesting Facts About Solar Energy

Solar energy is now being embraced on a large scale due to its limitless supply and the need to move away from fossil fuels that are not only very bad for the environment but their supplies are rapidly dwindling. The energy that is produced is far greater than any other energy source we as the human race possess. One hour of sunlight is equal to one year of the energy the entire planet needs to produce using other forms of energy, even nuclear.

With zero pollution and cost-effectiveness to convert solar energy is already the answer for many businesses and homes it is seen as the future of a clean and efficient source of power for many. Installing solar panels in your home can produce big savings on the year’s costs for electricity bills talk to your local solar panel installers for more advice on having solar panels installed to help your carbon footprint and help you save your hard-earned money whilst protecting the environment.

How Does Solar Power Work and Provide Energy? 

Harnessing the power of the sun has been something we as a race have been trying to perfect for along time, using the natural power that is available to us has now been mass-marketed and utilized by many people to decrease their electricity bills and help the environment from not using fossil fuels to power our home and businesses. The process of converting the suns rays to energy is not easy though and requires a bit of work, here’s how it works:

• Solar panels are made up of photovoltaic cells or commonly known as PV cells. When the sunlight hits the cells they absorb the light and produce electricity in a process called the Photovoltaic effect, which is called Direct Current (DC) that is not suitable for home appliances and is converted by a central inverter or micro-inverter dependant on the system you have installed.

• The inverter you use then converts the Direct Current to an Alternating Current (AC) for use in your home or business.

• An installed switchboard will then direct the electricity that has been converted to the chosen appliance and only switches to the grid electrical system if necessary.

• Houses with solar panels installed use a bi-directional meter that records the energy used and provided and allows you to sell back to the grid the energy you don’t use or receive credits on your next bill.

Solar power installed in your home does not need to be monitored or have high maintenance, it is all automated. 

Does Installing Solar Power Really Save You Money?

After the initial cost of installation of the solar panels which depending on the amount and size of the system you want to install the price is very reasonable. Tax incentives by the government  are also given to encourage solar energy use in the home or businesses. It is estimated that the average household that installs solar panels can save enough money on utility bills in 3 years to cover the cost of the solar system installed.

Another big advantage to using solar energy is the value of your property increases by having solar panels installed. It is an attractive selling point for many potential buyers who understand the cost-saving they provide and the environmental impact of using solar energy. With a limitless supply of solar energy in most countries and little maintenance, many people are now looking to install solar panels for saving money and help save the environment.

Who Are the World Leaders in Solar Power Installation?

With solar power being recognized as a clean and reliable source of energy many countries are embracing solar energy with a passion. China is currently the leading push to install and produce solar panels and energy systems, in recent years China has created enough electricity to power the equivalent of over 8 million homes, 24 Giga Watts, and that figure is expected to rise to 50 Giga Watts by the end of the year.

In the United States, California leads the way in solar energy production both for personal use in the home and for commercial use. In 2016 the State of California produced nearly 16% of its electricity consumption from solar power. California is a perfect example of an area that has vast areas and many days with uninterrupted sunshine to fully harness the power of the sun. And it is not just businesses and homeowners that are taking advantage with power utility companies starting to convert and sell solar power and the electricity it generates.

Solar Power Can Be Generated Even in Bad Weather 

Many people believe that you need to live in a year-round sunny environment such as Florida but this is not the case. Photovoltaic panels that are used for solar power can work with indirect sunlight, even during rain or generally overcast days when the cloud cover is high. Whilst still able to harness the sunlight it is preferable to have direct sunlight rather than indirect for solar panels to work at their best.

Even countries with notoriously bad weather like the United Kingdom are able to use solar power and all year round harness the sun’s power. It is estimated that the United Kingdom by 2021 will be able to supply enough solar power to provide 4 million homes each year with enough power to stop using fossil and nuclear energy sources. The United Kingdom is not alone, much of Europe is embracing solar as a great source of energy. In southeast Asia, Thailand produces more electricity than all the other countries combined, with its all-year-round sunshine, and even during the monsoon season, the sun’s indirect light is powerful enough to still generate power.

Solar Power Is Available Even if Your Home Is Not Suitable

Many people are switching to solar power but unfortunately, not all homes are able to have solar panels installed but there are still ways you can use solar power. There are many community-based projects that have begun to operate in places like Minnesota and Massachusetts where public and private land is being used to install solar panels and allowing residents to use the power generated, this also is increasingly the case with wind and hydropower.

Even though it is not always the cheapest option available for generating power for your home in the long term it will save you money and help to save the environment. Solar power is also widely used in places where it would be too expensive to get connected to the main grid, from hunting lodges that are only used for a month or two each year to the remote villages of Laos where with the help of The United Nations and other organizations solar can bring much-needed power. 

Conclusion

Solar power, harnessing the wind and hydropower are clean forms of energy that are all around us and are not going to run out, unlike fossil fuels that have such destructive by-products when used natural energy sources are the future of clean energy. And for a small investment, you can make a big impact on the environment for future generations and save money for an environmentally green car that will be charged via solar energy helping to further reduce your carbon footprint.