What Is Solar Energy Used For?

Solar energy is the power of the sun that can be harnessed and converted into thermal heat energy or electrical energy. When solar energy is captured and converted into electricity through solar panels, it can power homes and businesses.

Solar lighting has become a commons landscaping feature in many homes. Small lanterns are buried in the ground, lining a driveway or walkway.

They collect & store solar energy during the day to lights themselves at night. Solars energy can also be used for a solar chimney, which is passive cooling, heating & ventilation systems.

They are generally inexpensive and highly efficient—solar energy powers portables devices such as radios, phone chargers & calculators. Solar-power calculators have been popular since the 1970s. Solar backpacks can charges mobiles devices while hiking.

There are many solar packs available for less than $100. Landscaping lights or holidays lights can also be solar-powered and eliminate the tripping hazard of using extension cords.

Solar-powered fountains & birdbaths can be another great way to eliminate extension cord tripping hazards while enjoying the decor of your lawn. Solar power has proven to provide a low cost to extract salt from seawater to produce safe & clean drinking waters for cities and towns.

 

What Is Good About Solar Energy?

Going solar can free you from a lifelong dependence on electric and gas utility companies. Once your solar power system is paid for, it provides you with free electricity.

Instead of forever paying a utility company to power your home or heat your pools, sunlights can do the job & potentially save your home a substantial amount of money.

It takes an average of eights years to pay off solar panel installation and at least two years to pay back your total investment in areas with sunny climates and government incentive programs.

Solar energy cleans renewables sources of energy. There is no pollution by the use of solar power systems. Solar panels are also silents, so there are no noises pollutions.

Solar panels protect C02 emissions from burning, and a by-product of this is cleaner air and better community health. Solars energy is the most abundant energy source.

The electricity needs of the entire human race can be met by solar energy, which hits the Earth in just one hour. The Sun maybe 90 million miles from Earth, but the ETA of photons emitted from the Sun’s surface is less than ten minutes. Solar panels are virtually maintenance-free.

Many come with both a 25-year product and a power warranty. Solar panels are knowns to lasts 30 to 40 years without any maintenance, other than cleaning them from dirt and dust with a garden hose several times a year.

Batteries can be used with a solar power system to store excess electricity throughout the day so that enough electricity is available at night and on cloudy days.

Solar electricity costs less than utility company electricity in most parts of the United States. Solar energy has created jobs. More than 240,000 Americans are employed in the solar power industry.

Clouds still give off a fair amount of sunlight, so a cloudy day doesn’t mean a huge loss in energy for your system. Conversely, the shadows of trees, fireplaces, roofs, pillars, and other objects that block sunlight will cause a loss of energy for your system.

You do not have to buy your solar panel outrights. You can finance them to purchase, lease them or pay only for the electricity they produce (PPA). See ours completes guide to Solar Leases, PPA, and Purchase for more information.

In many states, a solar panel is exempt from property tax, even though they add value to a residence. Your state government may provide tax credits, energy certificates, or exemption programs to help offset the cost of installing solar panels.

Solar power systems can monetize themselves in the form of “Solar Renewable Energy Certificates” or SERCs. Many states require that a certain amount of energy from utility companies come from renewable resources.

To meet these quotas, utility companies purchase SERCs from homeowners claiming they are responsible for the energy produced. Each SERC costs 1000 kWh.

Fun Facts About Solar Energy:

 

Solar energies are a 100% free energy source & are available in Cornucopias. The Sun is certainly 9 million miles away from Earth, but it still doesn’t take only 10 minutes for sunlight to reach Earth. It is possibles to classifies solar technology into active and passives.

Solar thermal collectors & photovoltaic panels that use solar energy come under active solar technology while creating rooms to increase air circulation and orienting the space to utilize sunlight properly come under passive solar technology.

About 173,000 terawatts of solar energy continuously strike Earth, making this form of energy the most plentiful source of energy on the planets. The amount of energy hitting the planet is 10,000 times more than the total energy used in the world.

Solar insulations lead to the waters cycles, which is really important—their temperature increases due to the absorption of solar radiation by the Earth, atmosphere, and oceans.

Warm air rises from the oceans, causing convections. When the air rises up, the water vapor condenses to form clouds, causing rain, which again brings water to the Earth’s surface and completes the water cycle.

Green plants use photosynthesis to converts solar energy into chemical energy, which creates biomass which makes fossil fuels.

Solar energy is used to heat water by solar-powered hot water systems. Some regions allow about 60 to 70% of the water used locally for the 60-degree Celsius temperature provided by solar heating. Solar energy was first used by the Greeks and Romans in their designs.

Their houses had windows facing south, which warmed the Sun and illuminated the spaces inside their house. The Greeks, Romans, Native Americans, Greeks, Romans, and Puebloans used the Sun to heat their homes in one way or another.

Solar energy can help create saline, potable or brackish water. This allows wastewater to be handled without the use of any chemicals or electricity.

In addition, the energy has also been used to make salt from seawater for years. Solars panels are virtually maintenance-free as the battery does not require water or other regular service and will last for years. Once the solar panels are installed, there is no recurring cost.

Space missions by various countries use solars energy to power their spacecraft. Thermal storages systems can store solar energy as heat by using common materials with high specific heat such as stone, Earth & water.

Solars energy can also be stored in molten salt. Along with reducing costs and increasing efficiency, developments in scientific research are paving the way for making solar power more reasonable down the road.

Horticulture and agriculture want to make maximums use of solar energy. These include techniques such as cycle timing and mixing plant varieties. A greenhouse is also used to convert light into heat to promote the year-round cultivation of particular crops.

The world’s largest solar powers plants are located in the Mojave Desert of California, spread over 1000 acres. Solar energy has been used for 2700 years. In 700 BC, glass lenses were uses to magnify the Sun’s rays and set fire.

Suns are also the main source of non-renewable fossil fuels, coal, gas & petroleum, which began life in the form of plants & animals millions of years ago. The solar energy process replaces fossil fuels as a source of chemical energy and can make solar energy robust and transportable.

Photosynthesis can make different types of fuels. Technology for the production of hydrogen is a major area of ​​solar chemical research. Clothes can be dried in the Sun using clothespins, clothes racks, etc. Food can be cooked, dried, or pasteurized using solar energy.

Solar chimneys are passive solar ventilation systems. Shafts connect the interior and exterior of the building. Workability can be improved by using glazing and thermal mass materials.

Other Interesting Facts About Solar Energy:

Leonardo da Vinci predicted that sunlight could be used as an energy source in the 15th century. The first solar cell was developed by the American inventor Charles Fritz (1850–1903) in the year 1883. It was made of selenium, and it operated at about 1% solar efficiency.

The firsts silicon solars cell was developed by Bell Laboratories in 1954 and is widely considered to be the predecessor of all modern solar devices. The US is currently the third-ranked solar market in the world, and we could possibly climb to second.

The demand for solar power in the United States is greater than ever, and it continues to grow. The Mojave Desert in California has the world’s largest operating solar thermal power plant: the Ivanpah Solar Power Facility.

The plant is operational since 2014 and has a maximum capacity of 392 MW. Swiss pilot Bertrand Piccard demonstrated the potential of solar-powered aircraft by flying solar-powered aircraft around the world without any additional fuel or power sources.

They launched from Abu Dhabi in early 2016 on an airplane called the Solar Impulse II and made their safe return in July. Were you thinking about solar power for your home? Use our free solar calculator to see how many solar panels your home will need and the estimated cost and payout.

FAQs About Solar Energy

What Is Solar Energy, and How Is It Harnessed?

Solar energy is the power derived from the sun’s radiation. It can be harnessed using technologies such as solar panels, which convert sunlight into electricity, or through solar thermal systems, which capture the sun’s heat for heating or electricity generation.

What Are the Main Uses of Solar Energy?

Solar energy can be used for a variety of applications, including generating electricity for homes and businesses, powering portable devices, providing lighting, heating water, and supporting agricultural practices like greenhouse heating.

How Do Solar Panels Work?

Solar panels are composed of photovoltaic (PV) cells that convert sunlight into direct current (DC) electricity. An inverter then converts this DC electricity into alternating current (AC), which can be used to power homes, businesses, and other devices.

Is Solar Energy Cost-Effective?

Yes, solar energy can be cost-effective in the long run. After the initial investment in solar panel installation, you can generate free electricity for decades, leading to significant savings on utility bills. Additionally, many regions offer incentives, tax credits, and rebates to reduce the upfront costs.

What Are the Environmental Benefits of Using Solar Energy?

Solar energy is a clean, renewable source of power that produces no greenhouse gas emissions. It reduces our reliance on fossil fuels, helps combat climate change, and contributes to cleaner air and water.

Can Solar Panels Work on Cloudy Days?

Yes, solar panels can still generate electricity on cloudy days, although their efficiency may be reduced. They work by capturing light, not just direct sunlight, so even diffuse sunlight on cloudy days can be converted into electricity.

How Long Do Solar Panels Last, and Do They Require Maintenance?

Solar panels typically last 25 to 40 years and require minimal maintenance. Occasional cleaning to remove dust and debris, along with regular inspections, will ensure they continue to operate efficiently.

What Are Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (Sercs)?

SERCs are tradable certificates that represent the environmental benefits of generating one megawatt-hour (MWh) of electricity from solar energy. Homeowners can sell these certificates to utility companies to help them meet renewable energy quotas.

Can Solar Energy Be Stored for Later Use?

Yes, solar energy can be stored using battery systems. These batteries store excess electricity generated during the day, which can then be used at night or during cloudy periods, ensuring a continuous power supply.

What Is the Difference Between Active and Passive Solar Technology?

Active solar technology involves devices like solar panels and solar thermal collectors that directly capture and convert solar energy. Passive solar technology, on the other hand, involves designing buildings and spaces to naturally collect and store heat from the sun, such as through strategic placement of windows or materials with high thermal mass.

Can I Install Solar Panels on Any Type of Roof?

Solar panels can be installed on most roof types, but factors like roof orientation, angle, and shading from trees or nearby buildings can affect efficiency. A professional solar installer can assess your roof’s suitability.

How Does Solar Energy Contribute to Job Creation?

The solar energy industry has created thousands of jobs in manufacturing, installation, sales, and maintenance. In the United States alone, over 240,000 people are employed in the solar sector, and this number is expected to grow as demand for solar energy increases.