10 Facts About Solar Power Energy
Environmental concerns and energy demands are escalating due to the rise in electricity rates and the ways most companies produce electricity. Solar power energy is a clean and inexhaustible resource and stands out as a leading solution to our global energy challenges. When exploring a more eco-friendly source of power, it is always a good practice to learn some facts about solar power energy, like how it lowers energy costs and how it offers other economic benefits.
Knowing the facts about solar power energy will help you make well-informed decisions about choosing it over the energy generated by fossil fuels. Solar panels can help you reduce high electricity bills and stay protected during power outages.Renogy Solar Premium Kit combines highly efficient solar panels and a fully certified MPPT Charge Controller that work in tandem to power most heavy-duty household appliances, such as refrigerators, microwaves, ACs, laptops, etc., and reduce reliance on the electricity grid.
Facts about solar power energy
Solar power energy is not only an eco-friendly solution but also fascinating in its capabilities and benefits. Ever since residents and business owners have realized that their monthly electricity consumption is going to increase, which will directly influence their monthly living costs, they have started exploring alternatives to on-grid power.
From surprising fun facts to official government reports, affordable pricing models, and impressive annual energy generation statistics, here are some amazing facts about solar power energy:
Rapidly decreasing costs
There was a time when the solar panel installation cost came around $40,000 - $50,000. However, with the rise in technology and suppliers, the cost of solar power has dropped dramatically over the past decade.
According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the cost of solar photovoltaic (or PV) electricity has fallen by 82% since 2010. Such a significant reduction in cost has made solar energy much more affordable and accessible for homeowners who are worried about the increased electricity bills. This further encourages widespread adoption and makes solar power a viable alternative to the traditional source of energy.
If you are planning to invest in highly efficient solar panels designed for both indoor and outdoor use, you may consider choosing the Renogy Solar Panels. They are available in different price ranges, from $50 to $200+, so you can choose the one that meets your needs and budget.
Solar power is the fastest-growing energy source
With all the environmentally-related benefits, solar energy has become the fastest-growing source of new energy in most of the developer countries. As per the International Energy Agency (IEA), the year of 2020 was problematic because of the COVID-19 pandemic. That said, solar PV capacity increased by 127 gigawatts (GW), which suggests that the rapid growth is driven by supportive government policies, tax rebates, incentives, and the decreasing costs of solar installations.
Significant environmental benefits
The most important fact about solar power energy is that the use of solar power offers substantial environmental benefits. To start with, it primarily reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, it does not produce any air pollutants, like nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide. These chemicals tend to cause severe health-related issues, like respiratory problems and cardiovascular diseases.
Diverse applications & ways of solar technology
You are not solely dependent on government bodies to generate solar energy of your own. There are several solar generators and solar portable power stations that can be used to harness solar energy to charge home appliances.
Another important fact of solar power energy is its wide-range of applications. For instance, solar thermal systems use the sun's heat for water heating, space heating, and even cooling. These days, farmers from around the world are using solar energy in various ways, including the operation of solar-powered irrigation systems and greenhouses.
Job creation and economic growth
The solar power industry is a significant driver of job creation and economic growth. It is reported by the Solar Foundation's National Solar Jobs Census that the United States' solar workforce grew by 167% over the past decade.
Moreover, the solar power industry now employs hundreds of thousands of workers in manufacturing, installation, and maintenance. Such a rise in the job directly influences the economic growth of any country and also helps in improving the overall GDP.
Global solar capacity
According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the global installed capacity for solar power has surpassed 1 terawatt (TW) because of initiatives and development in countries like China, the United States, and India. These countries are leading the way and have started large-scale solar farms, which contribute significantly to their respective national grids and help the residents to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels.
Technological advancements in solar panels
In the last decade, solar panel technology has advanced significantly. The recently manufactured solar panels have a lifespan of around 25-30 years. If you have added these solar panels on metal roofs, then you will increase the efficiency further.
Some of the most prominent innovations include bifacial solar panels, which can capture sunlight on both sides and perovskite solar cells, which are known for their high-efficiency and lower production costs.
Energy independence
Apart from being environmentally friendly, solar power can also reduce your dependence on on-grid power supplies. When communities invest in solar energy systems, they ensure that their countries' overall dependence on imported fossil fuels will be reduced.
These days, there are several portable power stations that help homeowners and travelers to charge their appliances, like laptops, televisions, radios, CPAP machines, etc., on the go. This way, there will be less dependence on the on-grid power supply, and one can enjoy the comfort of their appliances even in outdoor locations.
In order to maximize solar savings, you will need to buy a highly efficient solar panel system that can convert most sunlight into usable electricity. Renogy 100 Watt 12 Volt Monocrystalline Foldable Solar Suitcase with Voyager, for example, is made with highly efficient monocrystalline solar cells with a high efficiency rating of 22%. The adjustable aluminum stand, latches, and heavy-duty handle make the portable solar panels ideal for RV, boat, or other outdoor adventures.
Scalability and flexibility
Solar energy systems are highly scalable and can easily be deployed in various sizes. Depending on your budget and power requirements, you can go from small rooftop installations to large solar farms. Such flexibility makes solar power suitable for residential homes and industrial complexes.
These days, homeowners can even integrate solar panels into building materials. For instance, solar roof tiles are available on the market to maximize space and improve overall efficiency.
Government incentives and policies
Many governments worldwide offer incentives and policies to encourage the adoption of solar energy. For example, the US government provides a solar tax credit that can help homeowners save up to 30% of their solar power system installation cost. Even China refunded 50% of the value-added tax to solar power manufacturers from 2013 to 2015, which helped residents get solar systems.
The Government of India, on the other hand, provided a ten-year income tax exemption on all the project earnings, which helped the solar energy users recover up to 40% of costs in the first year through accelerated depreciation.
Benefits of getting solar panels installed in 2024
Getting solar panels installed in 2024 has numerous benefits. Apart from helping the environment, solar panel systems can also cut the overall cost of living. Some of the most significant benefits of getting solar panels installed in your home or office are:
- It significantly reduces your monthly electricity bills.
- In most real estate scenarios, solar panel systems will increase the property value.
- It helps you get access to government incentives and tax credits.
- It further reduces the overall carbon footprint and lowers your energy costs.
- It requires minimal maintenance and has long-term reliability over other traditional energy sources.
FAQs about Solar Energy Information
1. What are some pros and cons of solar energy?
Some of the pros of solar energy are that it is renewable and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. On the other hand, one notable con or disadvantage of solar energy is that its effectiveness directly depends on weather and daylight. At the same time, the initial installation cost can be high.
2. What are the two main technologies used to harness solar energy?
As of 2024, the two main technologies that are used to harness solar energy are photovoltaic (PV) systems and solar thermal systems. PV systems help convert sunlight directly into electricity, and solar thermal systems use the sun's heat to generate electricity.
3. Why is solar energy becoming more affordable?
Solar energy is becoming much more affordable due to technological advancements and supportive government policies and incentives. There are several notable solar energy brands that offer economical solar generators and solar panels.
Conclusion
The facts about solar power energy help the residents understand its immense potential transformative impact on our energy landscape. These days, the cost of solar energy installation has reduced, and it has a wide range of applications. Solar power's capacity to generate vast amounts of clean energy and create jobs underscores its importance in the transition to a greener future.
When it comes to installing the right solar panel system for your home or outdoor needs, you will first need to determine the power needs. The Renogy Solar Kits are available in different sizes and capacities, ensuring you can select the one that meets the power requirements and helps you reduce the high electricity bills in the long run.