20 Facts And Figures About Solar Energy
20 Solar Energy Facts and Figures
1. Solar panel technology emerged in the 1800's.
2. The first "true" solar panels were created in the 1950s.
3. Solar cell's efficiency may be as little as 4% (organic cells) or as much as 40% (experimental multiple-junction solar cells). The higher the efficiency of the material, the more expensive it will be to manufacture it.
4. One 100W light bulb that's constantly on, costs around 0 per year.
5. One photovoltaic roof shingle can produce as much as 15W of electricity. Several solar roof shingles could run one 100W light bulb that's constantly on.
6. A solar cell with 10 percent efficiency output and a 100 sq centimeters (15.5 sq inch) surface can produce about 1W of power.
7. An average household uses about 9,000kWh of energy annually.
8. A 350 Sq foot panel that produces 15W of power per Sq foot would produce a total of about 9,000kWh of energy yearly, which could power an average household with all the energy that it needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
QUESTION:
Where can I can I obtain information about all inexpensive efficient solar energy for my home?
Where can I locate information about all types of solar energy for my home.-
ANSWER:
For about 0 - 0, you can get yourself set up with a solar panel system or a wind power system, if you're willing to learn how to do it yourself. This is the method that will save you the most money in the long run, as it will eliminate your power bills. You can get the installation guide to do this here: http://www.solar-powered-home.com/solarpowerhomereviews.php
-
-
QUESTION:
what is the best title for a library paper that's all about solar energy?-
ANSWER:
Solar energy: What a bright idea!
-
-
QUESTION:
Why is everyone so into solar energy and wind energy? When nuclear energy is so much more powerful?
We all know how much more powerful nuclear energy is. I don't get it, is it a fad? Solar and Wind energy is a waste of land and ineffective. Yea the technology is probably going to improve, but so is nuclear technology. I don't know much about this stuff, this is simply my assumption.-
ANSWER:
Wind and solar are closer to the source and SAFER!!!Solar corresponds well to high demand during the daytime
-
-
QUESTION:
What would it take to convert a housing community from fossil fuels to solar energy in the home?
Serious discussion here.How feasible is the idea of communities, towns, even whole cities being powered by solar energy? At the most, how about these communities being fractionally powered by solar energy; 40% Solar/ 60% Fossil fuels?
We're not getting all George Jetson, here. We have practical means by which to make something like this happen. My research has lead me to believe the problem comes in with the initial setup.
If this is so, what would it take to materialize the dollars? Should each State solicit a 'solar energy' tax; money dedicated to fund R&D solutions for citizens? Is it something that can be solicited to big business in exchange for free plugins; Staples invests in a solar power grid in Downtown Los Angeles... and calls it 'The Staples Power Center".
Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_power
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_power#Advantages_and_disadvantages_of_Solar_power
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_ponds-
ANSWER:
First of all, look for existing incentives from the federal and state government. Federally, there is a 30% tax credit and some states offer as much as .00 per Watt rebates. You can get more information here: http://www.desireusa.orgSecondly, there are some up and coming technologies that will offer better economics than PV panels in the near future. Check out http://www.infiniacorp.com/
http://www.sandia.gov and http://www.nrel.govThird, for the kind of project you describe, it really comes down to financing. This will be easiest if you are planning to build a new community. Find a lender (bank or government) that will allow home-buyers to roll the solar energy system into their mortgage. This practice, along with a healthy rebate, helped to make Japan the PV capital of the world a few years back.
On a larger scale, many states are enacting renewable portfolio standards which legally require utilities to generate a certain fraction of power from solar, wind or biomass. RPS programs are also described on the DSIRE website listed above.
-