Top 10 Solar Energy Facts

The sun has immense power. There is no other source of energy on this planet that compares to its abundance and infinite potential. When compared, fossil fuels are vastly inferior. They deplete quickly, require a very long time to restock, and harm the ecosystem. Solar energy has been around since 700 BC, but it wasn’t until the last 40 years that it was finally recognized as a viable, environmentally friendly substitute for fossil fuels and began to be commercialized.

Solar power has been difficult to emerge in poor nations, despite their advantageous locations relative to the sun. This is due to a combination of factors, including a shortage of investment and climate risk. At the same time, industrialized nations like the US, Australia, and, more lately, China, have surpassed all others in production of solar energy.

However, the first commercially effective solar cell was constructed in 1954 by Bell Laboratories, marking the true coming-of-age of solar energy technology. Ever since that time, solar has exploded in popularity, becoming the energy economy’s most rapidly developing sector and generating six times as many new jobs as the whole economy. Solar energy has so many benefits that it should be used whenever possible. Solar power is undeniably one of the greenest energy options, so let’s look at solar energy facts and uses

Solar Energy Facts

1. Sustainability of solar energy

The United States, and the Southwest in particular, is home to some of the most abundant solar resources on Earth. In contrast to the limited and expensive fossil fuels, solar power draws power from the sun’s rays, which are naturally abundant, unending, and free. No fossil fuels are burned, fuel is not transported, and water is used sparingly on our solar farms. When they produce energy, solar farms do not contribute to pollution or the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

2. Solar Energy Abundance

The term “solar energy” describes the process of turning the sun’s rays and heat into usable power. Solar energy is already abundant on Earth, and we are only ramping up our efforts to harness it. The amount of solar radiation that enters Earth’s surface in just 1.5 hours is sufficient to power the whole human population for a full year. We can power our entire world off of solar power and put a stop to our need on fossil fuels because the sun will not disappear any time soon.

3. Source of healthy environment

Renewable solar power is among the world’s cleaner and most environmentally friendly options, with the exception of pollution that occurs during production. Unlike certain conventional energy producing technologies, solar energy does not release pollutants into the air. Acid rain and greenhouse gas emissions are not created by solar panels. Solar power saved around 96 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent from 2020’s first six months. Unlike other methods of producing electricity, solar photovoltaics do not require the addition of water in the process because the energy they capture is taken directly from the sun.

4. Life span of solar panels

Power plants that use solar panels have an infrastructural life expectancy of at least 40 years, which is longer than that of solar PV cell systems. These power panels have a long lifespan since panels may be simply substituted with new, better-performing modules at comparatively low costs.

5. Public lands as a source of solar energy

The only way to meet our energy demands now and in the future without relying on fossil fuels is to implement large-scale renewable energy projects and solar panels on residential roofs. The vast solar, wind, and geothermal resources that our public lands contain will contribute significantly to the expansion of the renewable energy supply in the United States. As a general rule, solar panel systems are 20% efficient. Different solar panel models and brands have different efficiency ratings. But the efficiency rating of the typical solar panel system is around 20%. So, 20% of the sun’s rays will be transformed into usable electricity by your panels.

6. Economic value of solar energy

The most recent estimate from 2022 indicates that over 255,000 people are employed by the solar business in the United States. Also, compared to the general job market, the solar business is adding jobs at a rate five times quicker! According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the “solar photovoltaic installer” job is expected to grow at a pace of 27% between 2021 and 2031.
Solar panels can be classified as either high-efficiency operating at 18% to 22% or standard-efficiency operating at 15% to 20%. The efficiency rating of some solar panels reaches 24%.

7. Solar system can work without direct sunlight

What if it’s going to be raining or overcast? This is a common concern, yet solar energy can still generate electricity even when the weather is unfavourable.  On overcast days, solar panels typically produce 30%-50% of their maximum output, whereas on days with heavy rain, they produce 10%-20%.

8. China’s Solar Power Capacity

After leading the world in renewable energy capacity installations in 2021, China is projected to surpass its own goal of 1,200 GW of wind and solar capacity in 2026, four years ahead of schedule. Additionally, by 2024, China is expected to have the world’s largest installed residential solar capacity. China has committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2060 and a carbon peak by 2030, and this rising trend is helping them achieve both goals. In light of a recent energy meltdown, China has also been expanding its coal consumption, which is quite unfortunate.

9. Indian Solar policy

India is committing to increase its capacity for renewable energy to 500 GW by 2030, with solar energy accounting for more than half of the total, in order to accomplish its objective of achieving net zero emissions by 2070. Distribution of decentralized solar electricity to fulfill the nation’s cooking, lighting, and other electricity demands is another broad objective.

There have been major financial outcomes for India as a result of the solar power industry’s rapid expansion. The solar power industry added one million employment and ten billion dollars to the economy in 2019. Forecasts indicate that this industry will add 3 million employment and $20 billion to the economy by 2030.

10. Solar energy station in space

Solar panels in space would be permanently exposed to stronger sunlight, as opposed to Earth’s panels, which collect sunlight after it has been absorbed and filtered by the atmosphere. A SSP-station could then produce vast amounts of power indefinitely if this were to happen. An estimated 2,000 gigawatts of power can be continuously generated by solar panels in space, which is approximately 40 times more energy than what a solar panel on Earth could produce in a year. Not only is SSP more efficient than ground-based solar systems, but it is also infinitely available, extremely clean, and completely land-free, so it doesn’t alter landscapes in any way.

Summary

Solar energy, a renewable energy source, has numerous benefits and is considered one of the greenest options. It is abundant on Earth, drawing power from the sun’s rays and heat, and is a cleaner and environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuels. Solar energy is abundant in the United States, with solar farms producing enough energy to power the entire human population for a year.

Solar panels have an infrastructural life expectancy of at least 40 years, making them cost-effective and easy to replace with new modules. Public lands can be used as a source of solar energy, with solar panels being 20% efficient. The US solar industry employs over 255,000 people and is adding jobs at a rate five times quicker than the general job market.

Solar systems can generate electricity even when weather conditions are unfavourable, with panels typically producing 30%-50% of their maximum output on overcast days and 10%-20% on heavy rain days. China’s solar power capacity is projected to surpass its goal of 1,200 GW of wind and solar capacity by 2026, and by 2024, it is expected to have the world’s largest installed residential solar capacity.

India’s solar policy aims to increase its capacity for renewable energy to 500 GW by 2030, with solar energy accounting for more than half of the total. This industry has added one million jobs and ten billion dollars to the economy in 2019, and forecasts indicate that it will add 3 million jobs and $20 billion to the economy by 2030. Solar energy stations in space could produce vast amounts of power indefinitely, with an estimated 2,000 gigawatts of power generated by solar panels in space. This technology is more efficient, clean, and land-free, making it a promising alternative to traditional fossil fuels.