Important Facts About Solar Energy

22 September 2010
Posted in Alternative Energy

Facts about solar energy help you to understand how solar energy works and how you can save some dollars without having to run a high energy bill. Solar energy is a inexhaustible resource and of the oldest method of energy use that is available at present. The important fact about solar energy is that the sun s beams are so powerful that if we are to convert that into energy it would mean that Earth will never run out of energy for at least another four point five billion years according to scientists.  Sun never create any hazardous by-product which could harm the environment.

During the early 1950s solar energy was looked upon as an alternative to man made energy resources. Over some studies it was found energy could be obtained at much cheaper source. The demand for solar energy has grown substantially within the range of 20-25% over the last twenty years. Solar energy is able to support household gadgets, lighting and water heaters. As of the moment, solar energy is more heavily priced but in the near future with the increase in technological researches, it will bring down the costs and also increase its efficiency. Solar energy is to generate 2.5% of the world s energy consumption by 2025. Solar energy is the fastest growing technology.

There are some primary facts about solar energy that one needs to be presented to; solar energy is measured in kilowatt hours and 1 kilowatt=100 watts. One kilowatt hour is equal to the amount of electricity which is needed to burn 100 watt light bulb for roughly 10 hours. 866 kilowatt is the consumption by an average American household. The Residential Energy use Survey conducted in 2001 shows that an annual energy bill was around $2000.

A reduction in unit costs has contributed towards an growth in growth rates and thereby making it an significant energy resource. After year 2000, solar energy has shown a growth rate of 40% per annum. Solar energy is going at a raising rate in the developing countries too as the consumption of fossil fuel has doubled over the years. When compared to solar energy which is unlimited, fossil fuel holds are decreasing.  As compared to expensive power grids, setting up solar energy appliances is relatively easy. A disadvantage of fossil fuels is that the prices have risen together with the price of transporting coal, oil and gas. These are just a few of the facts about solar energy.