Extraordinary Solar Power Fun Facts

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 developments in technology that have taken place in recent years that have helped us to finally harness this power.

Families in ancient Greece designed 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 attributed 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.

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 specially 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 specially designed by two brothers Roland and Bob Boucher.

In 1975 the earliest solar boat had been 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 motor contest covering 3021 km through the Australian outback from Darwin to Adelaide.

Did you know it is actually possible to increase any solar panel output by 75% by simply placing a mirror which is roughly twice the size of the panel on the ground in front of the solar panel?

Photo voltaic cells do not require direct sunlight to work - you can still produce some electricity on a gloomy day.

Solar electricity is an eco-friendly, renewable power that does not put out any damaging carbon dioxide or other pollutants. A typical home Photovoltaic system could help save about 1200kg of CO2 each year which is about 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 off any excess electricity that you generate 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 down to the earth.

Around 30% of the radiation 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 here on Earth. Yet still even in these conditions, the power which our planet receives from just one hour of sun exposure is the same as the amount of power that human beings use within an entire year.

Large scale solar projects which are currently being constructed world wide show that sun powered clean energy technology are both achievable and also profitable. Solar power plants generate Megawatts (MW) with one MW being enough power to supply 1000 households. 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 will supply Europe with just about all of its power requirements by the year 2050. So much progress within such a brief period of time let us see where solar electricity will go from here.

Solar Energy Is Becoming The Utmost-Invested-In Alternative Energy Supply For The Time Being
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 - The Truth About The Global Energy 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.

Use Small Solar Panels For Small Scale Alternative Energy Projects In Your Home
There has never been a better time to build a small solar panel, make a move to low carbon living and begin to save money on your electricity bills.

Solar Powered Cells As Well As Solar Energy Heat Designs; Three Basic Kinds Of Solar Panels.
Solar panels and solar heating systems; 3 basic types of solar panels. There are 3 basic types of Solar Panels: monocrystalline, polycrystalline and amorphous solar panels. 1/ What are Monocrystalline solar panels? 2/ What are Polycrystalline solar panels?

What You Need To Discover About PV Solar Power
You have heard the term, but you are unsure as to its meaning. You are vaguely aware that solar power has something to do with making energy from sunlight. But what is PV solar power? Is it different from other kinds of solar power?

How Outdoor Christmas Solar Lights Can Keep Your House Safer
Christmas solar lights come on when night falls. They come on all by themselves. You do not need to be in the house for this to happen. Why does this make your house safer?

Cheaper Solar Panel Products - How To Get 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.

Use The Power Of The Sun With DIY Solar Powered Energy For Your House And Generate Your Own Electrical Power
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.

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