Solar energy is a rapidly growing industry that is both fascinating and important for our planet’s future. From bizarre historical uses of solar power to unexpected ways solar energy is being utilized today, we’ve compiled a list of the most intriguing and entertaining facts about solar energy that are sure to surprise you. So, if you’re ready to have your mind blown and learn something new about this incredible renewable energy source, read on!
Facts about Solar Energy
Here are some fascinating facts about solar energy that highlight its incredible potential:
- Solar power is the fastest-growing source of new energy worldwide, with an average annual growth rate of 45% over the past decade. This trend is set to continue as the cost of solar panels continues to decrease and technology improves.
- In 2020, solar energy accounted for 50% of all new electricity-generating capacity added globally. This means that more than half of the new power capacity added worldwide in 2020 was from solar panels making it the leading source of new energy.
- According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), solar energy could become the largest source of electricity in the world by 2050 providing up to 30% of global electricity demand.
- The amount of solar energy that hits the Earth’s surface in just one hour is enough to power the entire planet for a year. This means that solar energy has the potential to meet the world’s energy demands several times over.
- The largest solar power plant in the world is the Bhadla Solar Park in India which covers an area of over 14,000 acres and has a capacity of 2.25 GW. It is estimated that this solar plant will reduce carbon emissions by 4 million tons each year.
- Germany is the world leader in solar energy capacity with over 49 GW of installed solar power. However, China is quickly catching up and is expected to surpass Germany soon.
- Solar energy is becoming more affordable each year. The cost of solar panels has decreased by 99% over the past four decades making it one of the most cost-effective sources of electricity.
- Solar panels have a long lifespan with most panels lasting between 25 and 30 years. This means that once installed, solar panels can provide clean energy for decades.
- Solar energy is a job creator with the solar industry employing more than 3 million people worldwide. This number is expected to continue to grow as the demand for solar energy increases.
- Using solar energy can have a significant impact on reducing carbon emissions. According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, a 10 kW solar system can prevent the emission of up to 16,000 pounds of carbon dioxide each year.
- Solar panels work even on cloudy days. While solar panels work best on sunny days, they can still generate electricity on cloudy days, albeit at a reduced rate. Some studies have shown that solar panels can produce up to 25% of their normal output on cloudy days.
- The amount of energy produced by a solar panel depends on its orientation and location. Solar panels facing south receive the most sunlight in the northern hemisphere while solar panels facing north receive the most sunlight in the southern hemisphere. Additionally, solar panels installed in areas with high levels of sunlight will produce more energy than those in areas with less sunlight.
- Solar panels require very little maintenance. Once installed, solar panels require minimal maintenance with occasional cleaning to remove dirt and debris being the most common task. In fact, most solar panels come with a warranty of 25 years or more.
- Solar energy can be stored in batteries for later use. One of the challenges of solar energy is that it is not always available when it is needed. However, advances in battery technology have made it possible to store excess energy generated during the day for use at night or during periods of low sunlight.
- Solar energy can be used in a variety of applications beyond electricity generation. Solar energy can be used for heating water, cooking and even powering cars and other vehicles. Solar-powered cars are becoming increasingly popular with some models capable of traveling up to 300 miles on a single charge.
- Did you know that the world’s first solar-powered aircraft to complete a circumnavigation of the globe is called Solar Impulse 2? It completed a round-the-world trip in 2016. The plane was powered by four electric motors and more than 17,000 solar cells on its wings.
- According to a study by OnePoll, 25% of Americans believe that solar panels need to be facing the sun at all times to work and 17% believe that solar panels only work during the day. We can’t help but wonder what they think happens when the sun sets.
- In 2016, a solar-powered plane called Sunseeker flew for 23.5 hours straight setting a world record for the longest solar-powered flight. The pilot, however, needed a lot of coffee to stay awake during the long flight.
- According to a study by The Solar Foundation, the solar industry employs more workers than the coal industry in the United States. We like to imagine a showdown between solar panel installers and coal miners in an epic battle for the title of “most employable energy source.”
- A solar-powered popcorn machine called the “Sun Pop” was invented by a group of engineering students at Stanford University. We can’t think of a better way to enjoy a sunny day than with some freshly popped popcorn.
- In 2020, a 12-year-old boy from India invented the solar-powered car. It’s a remarkable achievement but we can’t help but wonder if he’s already started working on a solar-powered flying car.
- According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, a 1-kilowatt solar panel system can save homeowners an average of $84 per month on their electricity bill. That’s enough money to buy a lot of ice cream – or maybe even a solar-powered ice cream maker.
- A group of engineering students in California built a solar-powered house that can fold up and fit inside a shipping container. We’re not sure how practical it is but we can’t help but imagine it as a real-life Transformer.
- According to a survey by the Solar Energy Industries Association, 67% of Americans would prefer to live in a home powered by solar energy. We can’t help but wonder what the other 33% are thinking – do they enjoy paying higher electricity bills or are they secretly supervillains plotting to destroy the planet?
- According to a study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the average solar panel lasts for about 25 to 30 years. That’s longer than the lifespan of a goldfish (which is only about 10 to 15 years) but we’re pretty sure that solar panels don’t make great pets.
- The world’s largest solar power plant, the Bhadla Solar Park in India, covers an area of 14,000 acres. That’s roughly equivalent to 10,600 football fields or 21,000 tennis courts. We can’t help but wonder how many cows it would take to mow the grass.
- In 2014, a man in China built a house that is entirely powered by solar energy. The house is equipped with solar panels, a solar water heater and a solar-powered toilet. We’re not sure if it also comes with a solar-powered toothbrush but we wouldn’t be surprised.
- According to a survey by OnePoll, 30% of Americans believe that solar panels work by creating electricity from the sun’s rays using a chemical reaction. We’re not sure what kind of chemical reaction they’re thinking of but we’re pretty sure that it involves a lot of explosions.
- The first solar-powered calculator was invented in 1978 by Texas Instruments. We can’t help but imagine the inventors high-fiving each other and shouting “Who needs batteries now, baby?!”
- According to a study by the Solar Energy Industries Association, the cost of solar panels has dropped by more than 70% over the past decade. We’re not sure if this means that we should start investing in solar panel stocks or if we should just start hoarding solar panels in our garages.
- In 2018, a solar-powered plane called SolarStratos successfully completed a test flight to an altitude of 25,000 meters (82,000 feet). We can’t help but imagine the pilot taking selfies with the sun and the clouds in the background.
- A solar-powered bikini called the “iKini” was invented by a company called “SolarCoterie”. The bikini is equipped with a solar panel that can charge small devices like cell phones and iPods. We’re not sure if this means that we should start packing solar-powered swimsuits for our next beach vacation or if we should just stick to our old-fashioned chargers.
- According to a survey by the Pew Research Center, 89% of Americans believe that solar power should be a priority for the country’s energy policy. We’re not sure what the other 11% are thinking – maybe they’re secretly aliens who don’t need solar power to survive?
- The Noor Abu Dhabi Solar Plant in the United Arab Emirates is the world’s single largest solar power plant with a capacity of 1,177 MW. The plant is made up of more than 3.2 million solar panels and generates enough electricity to power 90,000 homes.
- China is the world’s largest producer of solar power with a capacity of more than 253 GW as of 2021. The country has invested heavily in solar energy in recent years and aims to have a capacity of 1,200 GW by 2030.
- In 2019, the Ivanpah Solar Power Facility in California set a new record for solar thermal power generation by producing 2,800 MWh of electricity in a single day. The plant uses a unique system of mirrors called heliostats to concentrate sunlight onto a central tower which heats a fluid to create steam that drives a turbine to generate electricity.
- The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority is building the world’s largest solar power plant with a capacity of 5,000 MW. The plant will be built in phases, with the first phase expected to be completed in 2021 with a capacity of 1,013 MW.
- The Kamuthi Solar Power Project in India is the world’s largest solar power plant in a single location, covering an area of 2,500 acres and having a capacity of 648 MW. The plant has more than 2.5 million solar panels and generates enough electricity to power 150,000 homes.
- The Benban Solar Park in Egypt is the largest solar power plant in Africa with a capacity of 1.8 GW. The plant is made up of 32 individual solar power projects and is expected to generate more than 4 TWh of electricity per year.
- The Solar Star power plant in California is the largest solar power plant in the United States, with a capacity of 747 MW. The plant is made up of more than 1.7 million solar panels and generates enough electricity to power more than 250,000 homes.
- The Longyangxia Dam Solar Park in China is the largest solar power plant built on a hydroelectric dam with a capacity of 850 MW. The plant uses floating solar panels on the surface of the dam’s reservoir to generate electricity.
- The Kurnool Ultra Mega Solar Park in India is the world’s second-largest solar park, with a capacity of 1,000 MW. The park covers an area of 6,000 acres and generates enough electricity to power more than 600,000 homes.
- The first solar panel was invented by American engineer Russell Ohl in 1941. Ohl discovered the photoelectric effect in silicon and used it to create the first photovoltaic cell.
- The first commercially available solar panel was developed by Bell Labs in 1954. The panel had an efficiency rate of just 4% but it marked a significant breakthrough in the development of solar energy technology.
- The first solar-powered satellite, Vanguard 1, was launched by the United States in 1958. The satellite used a small solar panel to power its communication system.
- The world’s first solar-powered car, the Bluebird, was built by British inventor Greville Wynne in 1977. The car had a top speed of just 30 mph and was powered by a small solar panel mounted on its roof.
- In 1983, the world’s first large-scale solar power plant was built in California. The Solar Energy Generating Systems (SEGS) facility had a capacity of 14 MW and used parabolic troughs to concentrate sunlight onto a central collector.
- Solar energy is used in the construction of “solar roads” which are roads that are embedded with solar panels. These roads can generate electricity and can also be used to heat and light roadways.
- Solar energy is used to power disaster relief efforts in areas that have experienced natural disasters or other emergencies. Portable solar panels can be used to provide electricity for emergency responders, hospitals and other critical infrastructure.
- Solar energy is increasingly being used in the fashion industry to power wearable technology. Solar-powered clothing, accessories and even jewelry can generate electricity that can be used to power small devices like smartphones and smartwatches.