Here is a selection of fascinating solar power fun facts. People have used the sun as a heat source for hundreds of years. It is only with the advancements in technology that have taken place in recent years that have enabled us to finally harness this power.
Families in ancient Greece constructed their homes to get the most sunlight through the chilly winter months. The ancient Greeks believed that the sun was the god Helios and he drove his chariot around the earth up towards the sky in the morning and in the evening back again.
The discovery of the photovoltaic effect is credited to the French physicist Alexandre-Edmond Becquerel in 1839.
In 1921 the Nobel Peace Prize was presented to Albert Einstein for experiments with solar power and photovoltaics.
Way back in 1955 The American Solar Energy Society conducted its first gathering in Phoenix and attracted the first Russian scientist to the US following the second World War. There is film footage showing early photovoltaics which was designed for NASA, solar cookers and solar heating panels.
The first solar flight took place in 1974 in California by an unmanned plane which was developed by two brothers Roland and Bob Boucher.
In 1975 the earliest solar boat was crafted in England and in 1996 Kenichi Horie from Japan made the first solar powered crossing on the Pacific Ocean in a catamaran.
The first World Solar Challenge was held in 1987. This is a solar-powered car contest covering 3021 km through the Australian outback from Darwin to Adelaide.
Did you know that it is actually possible to increase any solar panel output by 75% by simply placing a mirror that is roughly twice the size of the panel on the ground in front of the panel?
Photo voltaic cells do not require direct sunlight to work - you can still produce some electricity on a cloudy day.
Solar electricity is an eco-friendly, renewable energy and does not put out any damaging carbon dioxide or other pollutants. A typical home Photovoltaic system could save about 1200kg of CO2 per year which is around 30 tonnes during a lifetime.
It is possible to store the electricity that your solar power system produces in batteries for a cloudy day.
You can sell any excess electricity that you produce with your solar power back to the power company and make a bit of money.
It takes no more than 8 minutes for solar energy to travel from the sun to the the earth.
About 30% of the radiation that we get from the sun in the upper atmosphere is reflected back into space. The remainder is absorbed by the clouds, oceans and land masses on Earth. Yet still even in these conditions, the energy which our planet receives from just one hour of sun exposure is equivalent to the amount of power that humans use within an entire year.
Large scale solar projects that are currently being constructed world wide show that sun powered clean energy technology are both achievable and also profitable. Solar power plants produce Megawatts (MW) with one MW being enough power to supply 1000 homes. One of the most significant solar energy projects that the world has ever seen is the "Desertec" plan to utilize the uninhabitable North African desert for a power grid of concentrated thermal power stations which could supply Europe with just about all of its power needs by the year 2050. So much progress within such a brief period of time let us see where solar electricity will go from here.
Wind Energy Is Becoming The Greatest-Invested-In Alternative Energy Resource For Now
When it comes to talking about alternative energy resources, there really are quite a few. Throughout the many years quite a few discoveries have been made and it is only in this present era that people are actually harnessing the power of Nature.
Solar Power Companies - Look Out For The International Energy Market Leaders
These days there are thousands of solar power companies that are able to supply solar power equipment to homeowners who want to save money on their energy costs.
Solar Power Electricity Is Encouraged By Governments Around The World
Solar power electricity is just one of several methods that are used to generate electrical power. Scientists state that solar energy can potentially supply many, many times the total world energy requirements.
Use The Power Of Sunlight With DIY Solar Energy For Your Residence And Generate Your Own Electricity
Using the power of sun with solar electricity is a benefit to the environment and to your home. Solar electricity is already being used to supplement power for a number of large cities in North America.
Discount Solar Power Panels - Ways To Obtain Excellent Panels For Less
If you want more information regarding the discount solar systems, you can go online through the net. You could see different sites and different establishment where you can find this discount solar panels.
Solar Energy Terrace LED Lamps
A lot of folks are choosing to spend more time outdoors enjoying time on there decks, and at night they're in need of some kind of lighting. This night time light may be rendered by solar deck LED lights.
Finding The Ideal Solar Energy Panels To Your Dwelling
Looking to find the best solar panels for your home? There are some ways to do this. Here, you will discover some great tips to finding the best solar panels for your home!
Alternative Electricity For The Home
The trend toward homes that are powered by alternative energy sources, ranging from wind turbines and solar collection cells to hydrogen fuel cells and biomass gases, is one that needs to continue into the 21 st century and beyond.
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