Five Facts You Didn’t Know About Solar Energy

Solar energy has become increasingly more popular throughout households, with the National Geographic claiming that use has risen to a level of 20% a year. Solar energy is produced through two main types of panel, solar photovoltaic panels and solar thermal panels. Whilst the development of these technologies is still continuing, many developments have already been made. But what don’t people know about solar energy? And how can they be beneficial for homes?

1. They’re Backed By Einstein

According to uk-energy-saving.com¹ , a number of scientists, including Albert Einstein, worked on solar energy and photovoltaic panels. In fact, Einstein won the 1921 Noble Prize for his work on solar energy and photovoltaic studies. Solar photovoltaic panels are one of the main forms of solar panel used within households nowadays and are used to generate electricity using the sun’s rays.

The British astronomer John Herschel also used a solar energy box to cook food whilst on an African expedition in the 1930s. But, the first ever solar energy “collector” was developed far earlier than this, by a Swiss scientist named Horace de Saussure in 1767.

2. The World’s Annual Energy Demand Could Be Satisfied In One Hour

Uk-energy-saving.co.uk² state that enough sunlight hits the earth’s surface every hour to meet the annual electricity demands. This means that covering a small part of the Sahara Desert with PV cells could meet the world’s electricity requirements.

The benefits of solar energy are therefore numerous and future developments could mean that alternative energy sources become more viable, helping the world to become more environmentally friendly.

3. Satellites Are Solar Powered

Another fact from uk-energy-savings.co.uk³ - satellites used for TV transmission and communication are all solar powered. This demonstrates how solar power can be harnessed for a large number of different uses.

4. Solar Panels Could Generate Nearly Half a Households Annual Energy Requirements

According to British Gas⁴, 43% of household energy requirements could be met through solar PV panels. This was based on an average 1.69 kWp system being used and demonstrates how solar energy can help households to become more efficient. Any household which uses solar panels will have to purchase less electricity from the National Grid, allowing them to save the environment and money.

5. Households Could Save Over £800 A Year Using Solar Power

According to fitariffs.co.uk⁵, the savings households stand to save by using solar energy can amount to over £800 a year. This is because Feed-In-Tariffs, or FITs, offering households financial rebates for energy which they produce themselves. When these savings are combined with the reduction in energy bills the average three or four bedroom household could save over £800 a year.

FITs were introduced as part of the 2008 Energy Act, according to the Department of Energy and Climate Change⁶ . These financial rebates are only available for solar pv panels and are not offered with solar thermal panels – which are used to heat water rather than to generate electricity.

_{1 www.uk-energy-saving.com/solar_energy.html}

_{2 www.uk-energy-saving.com/solar_energy.html}

_{3 www.uk-energy-saving.com/solar_energy.html}

_{4 www.britishgas.co.uk/business/products-and-services/energy-360/microgeneration/solarpv-panels.html}

_{5 www.fitariffs.co.uk}

_{6 www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/meeting_energy/Renewable_ener/feedin_tariff/feedin_tariff.aspx}