If you are interested in getting to know how solar energy works and reducing a little from your home energy bill, facts about solar energy will help you. Solar energy is a inexhaustible resource and of the oldest method of energy use that is available at present. The critical 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. Sun never create any hazardous by-product which could harm the environment.
During the early 1950s solar energy was looked upon as an alternative to man made energy resources. Over some studies it was found energy could be obtained at some cheaper source. With a constant figure of 20% - 25% demand growth year-by-year, the solar energy demand increases for last two decades. Solar energy is able to support home appliances, lighting and water heaters. As of the minute, solar energy is more heavy priced but in the near future with the growth in technological studies, it will bring down the costs and also increase its efficiency. Solar energy is to generate 2.5% of the world s energy use 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 necessary to burn 100 watt light bulb for around 10 hours. An average American home consumes 866 kilowatt hours per month. The Residential Energy use 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 significant energy resource. After year 2000, solar energy has shown a growth rate of 40% per annum. Solar energy is moving at a raising rate in the developing countries too as the use of fossil fuel has doubled over the years. When compared to solar energy which is inexhaustible, fossil fuel reserves are diminishing. Setting up solar energy gadgets 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.










