20 Fast Facts about Solar Energy
FAST FACTS ABOUT SOLAR ENERGY
Interested in solar energy and looking to learn more?
Follow along for 20 fast facts about solar energy.
SOLAR ENERGY IS THE WORLD'S LARGEST POTENTIAL ENERGY SOURCE.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, 173,000 terawatts of solar energy strike the Earth at any given moment which is more than 10,000 times the energy that the total population uses each day (Department of Energy, n.d.).
SOLAR ENERGY IS RENEWABLE.
Unlike fossil fuels which take millions of years to replace, solar energy is constantly be restored (UN, n.d.).
SOLAR ENERGY CONVERSION CAUSES NO GREENHOUSE EMISSIONS.
While there are no doubt several environmental advantages to solar energy, perhaps the most impactful is the fact that solar panels do not emit greenhouse gases during their energy conversion process. Although some greenhouse gases are emitted during the production of the solar panel themselves, "Given that the operating lifetime of a solar panel is approximately 30 years, it can be confidently stated that for 86.6% to 96.6% of its lifespan, a solar panel operates carbon neutrally" (MetGroup, 2024).
SOLAR ENERGY CAN BE GOOD FOR YOUR HEALTH.
The World Health Organization credits air pollution as the largest environmental threat to health (WHO, 2024). In 2012, nearly 7 million individuals pre-maturely died to indoor and outdoor air pollutants (WHO, 2024). Unlike its fossil fuel counterparts, solar panels emit no toxic chemicals into the air while converting sunlight into useable power.
HUMANS HAVING BEEN USING SOLAR ENERGY FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS.
According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, humans starting using magnifying glasses to capture the sun's rays to create fire in the 7th century B.C.
THE FIRST "SOLAR PANEL" TO CAPTURE THE SUN'S ENERGY DATES BACK TO THE LATE 1800s.
In 1883 American inventor, Charles Fitts, affixed a solar device to a roof in New York. This novel device's purpose was to create electric energy from the sun (National Renewable Energy Laboratory).
MODERN DAY SOLAR PANELS ARE BUILT TO LAST!
Solar technology has advanced since Charles' day. According to Bopray et al. (2024), modern solar panels last between 20-40 years. At The Solar Bros, we provide manufacturer warranties for 25 years. If during that time a solar panel malfunctions or goes under energy inefficiency standards, the solar panels will be repaired or replaced.
SOLAR ENERGY STILL WORKS DURING CLOUDY DAYS.
While solar energy is maximized during sunny days, solar panels DO collect energy during cloudy days as well. During your solar consultation, your solar expert will build a system that focuses on maximum sun exposure and minimizes shading.
THE US PRODUCES BILLIONS OF KILOWATT HOURS PER YEAR THROUGH SOLAR.
In 2023, the U.S. produced well over 200 billion kilowatt hours (preliminary estimates) through small-scale and large-scale solar energy collection sites (U.S. Energy Information Administration, 2024).
THE LARGEST SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM IN THE U.S. IS IN THE MOJAVE DESERT.
Nestled in California, the largest solar energy system is in the Mojave Desert. This system, name Solar Star, is said to produce enough power to cover 255,000 homes (Kilgore, 2024).
SOLAR ENERGY CAN COVER MOST IF NOT ALL OF YOUR HOME'S ENERGY NEEDS.
Modern day solar energy systems are much more efficient than in the past. During your solar consultation, your solar expert will design your solar proposal to maximize your system's effectiveness.
SOLAR IS INDEPENDENCE.
By purchasing a solar energy system for their homes, homeowners get a step closer to energy independence instead of completely relying on the power company.
SOLAR ENERGY COULD SAVE YOU THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ON ELECTRIC COSTS.
SOLAR HELPS ALLEVIATE STRAIN ON ELECTRIC INFRASTRUCTURE.
Strain on the U.S. power grid continues to increase, and this strain leads to higher costs for consumers (Harms, 2024). Solar energy can help bring down the strain on the power grid.
SOLAR ENERGY CAN CHARGE ELECTRIC VEHICLES.
When installing solar into your home or business, an electric vehicle charger can be included.
MANY SOLAR CUSTOMERS QUALIFY FOR LARGE TAX INCENTIVES.
It is common for solar customers to qualify for up to a 30% tax credit for the installation of their solar system. During your solar consultation, your solar expert will discuss potential tax incentives. As always, it is highly recommended that you speak with your accountant or tax professional to determine your personal incentive eligibility.
IN 2023, QCELL PLEDGED $2.5 BILLION TO US SOLAR MANUFACTURING.
Korean based energy giant, QCELL, pledged $2.5 billion to create a complete U.S. solar supply chain. From raw materials to the end product, QCELL is poised to have their complete U.S. solar supply fully operational by the end of 2024 (QCELL, 2024). QCELL made solar panels are available from The Solar Bros.
SOLAR ENERGY CAN HELP KEEP YOUR HOME IN POWER DURING A BLACKOUT.
Installing a solar energy system with a battery back up can keep the electricity on even when the local power grid is down.
SOLAR ENERGY IS USED ON RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES.
According to the Journal of Consumer Research, 3.2 million homes in the United States are equipped with solar panels (Toscano & Brumberg, 2023). A 2020 research study notes that only 4.5% of commercial buildings in the U.S. are directly or indirectly powered by solar energy (Wood Mackenzie 2020, as cited in Yale School of the Environment, 2020). Interestingly, analysts have determined that 70% of commercial buildings in the United States are suitable for future solar panel installations (Davis, 2020). The growth potential is enormous!
SOLAR ENERGY: SOLAR CONSULTATIONS ARE ABSOLUTELY FREE!
Interested in learning even more about solar energy and how it could benefit your home or business?
Every home and commercial project is unique. We would love the opportunity to connect to learn a bit more about you, your needs, and see if we might be able to provide a solution customized to you! Solar consultations are entirely free and only take a few minutes.
