Fascinating Solar Power Development Fun Facts
Here is a selection of remarkable solar power fun facts. People have used the sun as a heat source for thousands of years. It is only with the advancements in technology that have taken place in recent years that have enabled us to finally harness this power.
Families in ancient Greece constructed their homes to get the most sunlight during the chilly winter months. The ancient Greeks believed that the sun was the god Helios and he drove his chariot around the earth towards the sky in the morning and in the evening back again.
The discovery of the photovoltaic effect is credited to the French physicist Alexandre-Edmond Becquerel in 1839.
In 1921 the Nobel Peace Prize was given to Albert Einstein for experiments with solar power and photovoltaics.
Back in 1955 The American Solar Energy Society held its first gathering in Phoenix and attracted the first Russian scientist to the US after the second World War. There is film footage exhibiting early photovoltaics which was 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 developed by two brothers Roland and Bob Boucher.
In 1975 the earliest solar boat had been constructed 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 took place in 1987. This is a solar-powered car competition covering 3021 km through the Australian outback from Darwin to Adelaide.
Did you know it is possible to increase any solar panel output by 75% simply by placing a mirror that is approximately twice the size of the panel on the ground in front of the solar panel?
PV cells do not require direct sunlight to work - you can still generate some electricity on a cloudy day.
Solar electricity is an eco-friendly, renewable energy that does not release any damaging carbon dioxide or other pollutants. A typical home PV system could save about 1200kg of CO2 per year which is about 30 tonnes over a lifetime.
It is possible to store the electricity that your solar power system generates in batteries for a cloudy day.
You can sell any excess electricity that you generate using your solar power back to the power company and make a bit of money.
It takes only about 8 minutes for solar energy to travel from the sun to the the earth.
About 30% of the radiation we receive from the sun in the upper atmosphere is reflected back to space. The rest is absorbed by the clouds, oceans and land masses on Earth. Nevertheless even in these conditions, the power that our planet receives from just one hour of sun exposure is equivalent to the amount of power that humans use within an entire year.
Large scale solar projects which are being constructed world wide show that sun powered clean energy technology are both achievable and profitable. Solar power plants produce Megawatts (MW) with one MW being enough power to supply 1000 households. One of the largest solar energy projects that the world has ever seen is the "Desertec" plan to use the uninhabitable North African desert for a power grid of concentrated thermal power stations which could supply Europe with just about all of its power requirements by the year 2050. So much progress in such a brief period of time let us see where solar electricity will go from here.
Wind Energy Is Becoming The Utmost-Invested-In Alternative Energy Resource For Now
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.
Use Small Solar Panels For Small Scale Renewable Power 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 Energy Powered Veranda Thread Lights - Economical Combination With Your Backyard Deck Lighting Effects
Solar String lights are the most common patio lights, they are similar to Christmas tree lighting with the exception of a plug. Other times you see them wrapped around a tree trunk, hung across a veranda or utilized in some form of outdoor garden decorations.
Christmas Solar Garden Lights - Keeping Your House Safe During Christmas
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?
Discounted Solar Panel Systems - Ways To Get Good Quality 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.
Foldable Solar Panel - Discover A Few Of The Benefits When Using This Electric Generator And The Proper Way To Utilize It
Learn where to buy a good foldable solar panel for sale at an inexpensive price and start lowering your electricity now.
Alternative Energy In Ireland - Developing A Green Future
The Irish are currently pursuing energy independence and the further development of their robust economy through the implementation of research and development into alternative energy sources.
Renewable Power Investments - The Transition From Conventional To Efficient
The oil market is not the only market that's looking up. You'll find that alternative fuel stocks are also attracting many investors.