Significant Solar Power Science Fun Facts

Here is a selection of remarkable solar power fun facts. People have used the sun as a heat source for hundreds of years. It is only with the progress in technology that have taken place in recent years that have helped us to finally harness this power.

Families in ancient Greece constructed their homes to get the most sunlight throughout the chilly winter months. The ancient Greeks believed that the sun was the god Helios and he drove his chariot around the earth up towards the sky in the morning and in the evening back again.

The invention of the photovoltaic effect is attributed to the French physicist Alexandre-Edmond Becquerel in 1839.

In 1921 the Nobel Peace Prize was presented to Albert Einstein for experiments with solar power and photovoltaics.

Back in 1955 The American Solar Energy Society conducted its first gathering in Phoenix and attracted the first Russian scientist to the US after the second World War. There is film footage showing early photovoltaics which was designed for NASA, solar cookers and solar heating panels.

The first solar flight occurred in 1974 in California by an unmanned plane which was specially designed by two brothers Roland and Bob Boucher.

In 1975 the earliest solar boat had been built 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 was held in 1987. This is the solar-powered motor contest covering 3021 km through the Australian outback from Darwin to Adelaide.

Did you know it is actually possible to increase any solar panel output by 75% by simply positioning a mirror which is roughly twice the size of the panel on the ground in front of the solar panel?

Photo voltaic cells do not require direct sunlight to work - you can still produce some electric power on a gloomy day.

Solar electricity is an eco-friendly, renewable power that does not put out any damaging carbon dioxide or other pollutants. A typical home Photovoltaic system can help save about 1200kg of CO2 each year which is about 30 tonnes spanning a lifetime.

It is possible to store the electricity that your solar power system produces in batteries for a cloudy day.

You may sell off any excess electricity that you generate with your solar power back to the power company and make a bit of money.

It takes no more than eight minutes for solar energy to travel from the sun down to the earth.

Around 30% of the radiation we get from the sun in the upper atmosphere is reflected back into space. The remainder is absorbed by the clouds, oceans and also land masses here on Earth. Yet still even in these conditions, the power which our planet receives from just one hour of sun exposure is equivalent to the amount of energy that human beings use within an entire year.

Large scale solar projects which are currently being constructed world wide show that sun powered clean energy technology are both achievable and also lucrative. Solar power plants generate Megawatts (MW) with one MW being enough power to supply 1000 households. One of the most significant solar energy projects that the world has ever seen is the "Desertec" plan to utilize the uninhabitable North African desert for a power grid of concentrated thermal electrical power stations which will supply Europe with just about all of its power requirements by the year 2050. So much progress within such a brief period of time let us see where solar electricity will go from here.

Wind Energy Is Becoming The Most-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.

Additional Energy Just For Your Own Household
The trend toward homes that are powered by alternative energy sources, ranging from wind turbines and solar collection cells to hydrogen fuel cells and biomass gases, is one that needs to continue into the 21 st century and beyond.

Bargain Solar Panel Products - How To Have First-Rate 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.

Solar Power Deck LED Lights
A lot of folks are choosing to spend more time outdoors enjoying time on there decks, and at night they're in need of some kind of lighting. This night time light may be rendered by solar deck LED lights.

Guidelines On Investing In The Appropriate Solar Lights
Everyone is in competition to have more and more profits. And the only possible thing to happen is either the income would increase or the expenses would go down.

Many Benefits Of Solar System Power
Now that we have the option, why settle for unfair rates by utility companies by passing on the increase in expenses to the customers if you have a better alternative.

The Amazing Benefits And Disadvantages Involving Solar Energy
Although solar energy is known to be very environmentally friendly, it also has some disadvantages. Let's discuss some advantages and disadvantages of solar energy.

Renewable Electrical Power In Ireland - Constructing An Environmentally Friendly Society
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.