10 SOLAR ENERGY FACTS
By Nate Hamon
The almighty sun packs a hell of a lot of power. It’s amazing that we live in a time where we have learned how to utilise that power with pv panels and solar batteries. I almost said “harness” that power, but I doubt the sun could ever be harnessed. Unless we’re talking about the Māori myth of Maui and his brothers catching the sun but that’s a story for a later blog.
Here are 10 interesting facts about solar energy.
- Solar Energy is Environmentally Harmless
There are no greenhouse gases produced and there is zero environmental pollution. Compare that with electricity produced by burning fossil fuels. Such production vomits out over 70% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions.
- It is Super Reliable as Renewable Energy
Firstly, the sun isn’t packing it in any time soon. As for panels and batteries, without moving parts they tend to last longer than mechanical systems.
- It is Excellent as a Backup Energy Source
If there is a power outage due to a malfunction in the grid a personal solar energy system can continue providing electricity and should the sun go down, a solar battery system can provide backup from that point.
- The First Round the World Solar Flight Was in 2016
In 2016 Bertrand Piccard flew his solar-powered plane, the Solar Impulse 2, around the planet. It was the first solar-powered plane to do so. It was co-piloted by Andre Borschberg. The adventure took the intrepid pair over 500 days, with flight speeds averaging 70 kph.
- Solar Panels are Made Up of Photovoltaic Cells
These photovoltaic (PV) cells capture light rays which causes a reaction that leads to the generation of electricity.
- The Largest Solar Farm in the World is in China
The Dezhou Dingzhuang Floating Solar Farm in Dezhou, China comes in at 320 MW. The title of “Largest Solar Farm” gets handed around a bit as bigger farms get created and more of the world opens themselves up to solar energy but as of writing this blog in the middle of 2022, Dezhou is the largest.
- In the USA, California Leads in Solar Usage
There’s really no surprise that sunny California takes the cake here.
- Any Machinery Can Be Converted to Solar
Pretty much any fossil-fuelled equipment and machinery can be powered by solar. Many farmers are converting their tractors into solar-powered beasts.
- The Vanguard 1 is the First Satellite to Utilise Solar Power
The Vanguard 1 is the oldest satellite to still be orbiting the earth. It was launched in 1958 by the USA.
- Solar Battery Systems Allow the Use of Solar Energy 24/7
Even though receiving electricity via panels alone can be intermittent, energy storage systems store excess energy gathered in the day and allow you to use it when the sun goes down.
Speaking of solar batteries, this blog is brought to you by the solar energy storage specialists enewabl. Talk to them now about how you can really up the value of your solar panel system by having one of their qualified installers add a solar battery system to your home.
