Did you know that most of the electricity we use comes from solar power? It’s true. Around 15% of the world’s electricity comes from solar energy. It’s a growing industry, and one that’s here to stay. In 2018, revenue was around $16 billion worldwide and it’s expected to hit $26.9billion by the year 2027.
Here are 10 interesting facts about solar energy that will change your mind about the industry.
1. Every Bit Of Electricity You Use Comes From Solar Energy
Every year, we use more and more electricity. In the U.S., we consume 14.5 trillion kWh of electricity, which is equivalent to 89 days of full-time work. This number is projected to reach 16.9 trillion kWh by the year 2040.
Did you know that all the electricity you use comes from solar energy? Well, almost all of it. We’ve still got a ways to go before we get to that point, but our dependency on solar energy is growing every day. Solar energy provides around 15% of the world’s energy. In the U.S., around 10% of the electricity we use is generated by solar energy. Some experts even predict that in 100 years, solar energy will supply 100% of the world’s electricity needs.
2. Solar Energy Reduces Our Global Warming Footprint
Did you know that solar energy is one of the most eco-friendly and sustainable energy sources? A lot of the energy we use each day comes from fossil fuels, which contribute to climate change. However, solar energy doesn’t produce any harmful emissions, so it reduces our carbon footprint. The World Bank says that replacing fossil fuels with solar energy would reduce global warming by 26%. That’s pretty significant.
The more solar energy that we use, the better. The more solar panels there are on a roof, the better. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, around 90% of the electricity we use has a fossil fuel origin. We need to reduce our dependency on fossil fuels and move to solar energy as soon as possible.
3. The Benefits Of Using Solar Energy Are Endless
Did you know that we can use solar energy to provide endless benefits to our health, our economy, and our environment? Solar energy can help heat water, which helps us keep healthy. It can also provide us with electricity, which we can use to power appliances and keep our electronic devices charged. Did you know that most of the electronics we use today (from laptops to smartphones) are powered by solar energy? It’s true. In the U.S., around 16 million metric tons of grain are grown annually, which is converted to biofuels to fuel cars and create electricity (mostly for urban areas).
Biofuels reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and prevent harmful emissions, which is great for the environment. It’s a win-win proposition.
4. Electricity Generation From Solar Energy Is On-Demand
Did you know that electricity generated by solar energy is on-demand? This means that we can use it whenever we want, which is great for flexibility. If we have excess electricity, we can sell it back to the grid. If we don’t need it at the moment, we can store it in a rechargeable battery for later use.
If you live in a region that gets a lot of sun (which most of the U.S. does), you’ll see that your electricity comes from solar energy most of the time. In the U.S., we use around 70-80% of our electricity during the day. However, at night, we use a lot less. So during those hours, our electricity comes from traditional power plants, which are fueled by fossil fuels. During those hours, we either have to choose between using electricity or using fuel, which is neither convenient nor sustainable.
5. Solar Panels Have Improving Reliability
Did you know that solar energy is becoming more and more reliable? A lot of the industry is moving to producing panels with higher efficiency and durability. Reliability is increasing every year, which means that we can expect more hours of sunshine each day. In the U.S., around 94% of the electricity we use comes from fossil fuels, which is great when you think about the environment. However, the intermittent nature of solar energy means that we have to be mindful of power outages.
When power plants produce energy on a continuous basis, there’s no need to store it for later use. It just flows. However, when power plants have to rely on fossil fuels to operate (which is most of the time), unexpected outages can happen. When that happens, we have to stop using electricity or take turns using less essential appliances. This results in a lot of lost productivity and a lot of energy wasted.
6. The Cost Of Generating Electricity From Solar Energy Is Decreasing
Did you know that the cost of generating electricity from solar energy is decreasing? A lot of companies are specializing in providing solar energy at a lower cost, which means that the benefits of going solar are becoming more accessible.
The cost of solar energy is decreasing every year, which means that the benefits are accumulating. These prices vary from country to country, but everywhere else, it’s around $0.16 per kWh, which is below the average rate paid for electricity generated by nuclear power plants or fossil fuel-dependent energy companies ($0.20/kWh or more).
The cost of solar energy is decreasing because of the increase in efficiency and decrease in the cost of solar panels. We’re also getting more efficient at installing and maintaining solar panels. The cost of solar energy is decreasing, which means that the benefits are accumulating.
7. The Productivity Of Nations With A Major Presence In The Field Is Increasing
Did you know that the productivity of countries with a major presence in the field of solar energy is increasing? A lot of research suggests that countries (mostly in Europe) that focus on renewable energy produce more value per hour of work than countries that mostly rely on traditional energy sources.
The reason behind this is that when we run on renewable energy, we avoid the fluctuations that threaten the stability of the electrical grid. Even during times of extreme weather conditions, the grid remains stable because it is fed by a steady stream of power generated by the sun and wind. So, while the rest of the nation is hibernating, these countries continue to provide their citizens with energy.
8. More And More People Are Going Solar
Did you know that more and more people are going solar? It seems like everyone is trying to be more environmentally conscious these days and reduce their carbon footprint. A few decades ago, only large appliance stores would offer solar installations. Now, it’s a thing.
A lot of homeowners are taking advantage of solar installations for power generation, which provides them with clean electricity. If you’re interested in going solar, it’s worth looking into the different offers and packages that are available. The benefits are endless, as long as you get sufficient sunshine.
Also, if you live in a region that gets a lot of sun, it’s worth looking into getting a solar power generator. Not sure what that is? Check out this short video for a quick overview.
Did you know that more and more people are going solar? It seems like everyone is trying to be more environmentally conscious these days and reduce their carbon footprint. A few decades ago, only large appliance stores would offer solar installations. Now, it’s a thing. Did you know that solar power can provide us with endless benefits to our health, our economy, and our environment? Solar energy can help heat water, which helps us keep healthy. It can also provide us with electricity, which we can use to power appliances and keep our electronic devices charged. Did you know that biofuels reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and prevent harmful emissions, which is great for the environment? It’s a win-win proposition. Did you know that the cost of generating electricity from solar energy is decreasing? The cost of solar energy is decreasing because of the increase in efficiency and decrease in the cost of solar panels. We’re also getting more efficient at installing and maintaining solar panels. The cost of solar energy is decreasing, which means that the benefits are accumulating.
9. More Than 10,000 Buildings Worldwide Use Solar Energy
Did you know that more than 10,000 buildings worldwide use solar energy? That’s a lot of places where the sun shines, which means that we can generate a lot of power with clean, green energy. These buildings represent around 4% of the world’s total energy consumption. In the U.S., around 16 million metric tons of grain are grown annually, which is converted to biofuels to fuel cars and create electricity (mostly for urban areas).