Facts about Solar 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 renewable resource and of the oldest method of energy consumption that is available at present. The important fact about solar energy is that the sun s rays 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 4.5 billion years according to scientists. The sun does not create any other hazardous by products which could harm the natural environment.
During the early 1950s solar energy was looked upon as an alternative to man made energy resources. Through much research 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 appliances, lighting and water heaters. As of the moment, solar energy is more heavily priced but in the near future with the increase in scientific 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 basic facts about solar energy that one needs to be acquainted 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 required to burn 100 watt light bulb for approximately 10 hours. An average American household consumes 866 kilowatt hours per month. The Residential Energy consumption Survey conducted in 2001 shows that an annual energy bill was around $2000.
A reduction in unit costs has contributed towards an increase in growth rates and thereby making it an important energy resource. Since 2000, solar energy has been expanding at an incredible rate of 40% per annum. Solar energy is moving at a progressive 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 reserves are diminishing. Setting up solar energy appliances is relatively easier in the more remote areas in comparison for setting up an expensive power grid structure. A disadvantage of fossil fuels is that the prices have risen together with the price of transporting coal, oil and gas.
Related Reading:
Profiting from Clean Energy: A Complete Guide to Trading Green in Solar, Wind, Ethanol, Fuel Cell, Carbon Credit Industries, and More (Wiley Trading)With Profiting from Clean Energy, respected investment analyst Richard Asplund provides an in-depth explanation of the technology and industry structu... Read More >
Alternative Energy SystemsThe solution to our current energy dilemma will contain features of both alternate energy sources and alternate use of existing energy sources. In ord... Read More >
Smart Solar Smart Vent 100SunForce Products Solar Vent 100 is a solar powered ventilator that helps reduce condensation, and provides silent and secure ventilation. It features... Read More >
Sunforce 50044 60-Watt Solar Charging KitThe Sunforce 50044 60 Watt Solar Charging Kit gives you another reason to love the sun -- it'll help keep your batteries charged. This kit is excellen... Read More >
Renewable Energy Made Easy: Free Energy from Solar, Wind, Hydropower, and Other Alternative Energy SourcesStudies have shown that the average North American family will spend more than a quarter of a million dollars on energy in a lifetime. What many other... Read More >
