Facts About Solar Energy - Did you know this?

In today's world of exhaustible fossil fuels and higher oil prices, interests turn to alternative energy sources. Solar energy is one of the alternative energy sources. Basically, the energy of sunlight is converted into usable forms of electricity to meet energy requirements.

Solar energy can be used for a variety of things, from charging your flashlight batteries to heating your home, office or factory to providing energy to run power and water plants. What are some of the facts concerning solar energy?

• A kilowatt is equal to 1,000 watts and solar energy is measured in kilowatt hours. This is the amount of energy involved in burning a 100 watt bulb for ten hours.
• The components of a home solar energy system include solar panels, a battery, an inverter, and a charge controller. There is also wiring and a support structure.
• It normally requires one to two days to install a home solar system with an average cost of $10,000 US.
• A 1-kilowatt home solar system will generate 1,600 kilowatt hours of electricity per year in a sunny climate and 750 kilowatt hours in a cloudy climate with less than 2.5 hours of sunlight per day.
• A normal home solar energy system consists of approximately twelve panels, requiring about 100 square feet of space.
• Forty solar cells are usually contained in one solar panel.
• Warrantees on home solar systems can range from five to twenty-five years.
• Solar energy systems contain battery back-up so they can provide power on cloudy days.
• Solar panels come in a variety of colors.
• A solar panel basically traps sunlight in the form of heat, stores it, and converts it into electricity.
• Technology and government incentives are making solar energy more attractive for consumers.