6 Surprising Facts About Solar Energy

Over the years, there has been so much talk about alternative power sources. The main issue in this discussion has been the need to generate sustainable energy sources that do not burden the planet. This led to the reliance on solar energy as one of the most suitable renewable power sources. As proof of this dependence, the UK has recorded a significant increase in solar power consumption. From 2014 to 2019, the nation’s solar capacity skyrocketed from 5,488.6 to 13,259 MW. Below are some more surprising facts about solar energy.

1. You don’t need excessive sunshine to generate solar energy

Yes, the sun is indeed the primary source of solar energy. However, there seems to be some misconception about how much sun is required. You don’t always need a bright and sunny day to generate power for your solar panels. Indeed, the UK hardly sees the sun, especially because most days are cloudy due to the nation’s proximity to the Warm Gulfstream.

According to science, these clouds are condensed water droplets and not water vapour, so keep this in mind. This, therefore, accounts for the notable cloudy UK weather. However, the good news is that despite the enormity of condensed water droplets, the sun’s rays can still penetrate them to reach the earth. For this reason, you don’t need a great amount of sunshine to generate power. Those minimal rays that hit the solar panels can be enough to power your home. You just need to do your research and ensure you’re hiring professional installers like All Seasons Energy to handle it.

2. Solar power was officially discovered in 1839

You probably know all about the sun as a renewable energy source. However, do you have any idea how that came about? In 1839, a French Physicist called Alexandre Edmond Becquerel chanced upon a life-changing discovery. He stumbled upon the photovoltaic effect in his years dedicated to studying the solar spectrum. He discovered that electrical current is produced through a conductor when the latter is exposed to the sun’s rays. From there on, solar power was discovered and has finally become an essential energy source.

3. Not all of the sun’s energy comes to earth

First, the earth receives 174 petawatts of radiation from the sun. This solar radiation can be broken down further into megawatts. Therefore, one petawatt levels up to a quadrillion watts in energy measurements. Now that is a lot of power which can do so much if properly harnessed. As you ponder this, did you know that only 30% of the sun’s energy reaches earth? Where does the remaining 70% go? According to solar research, the rest is dispersed into space.

So, does that mean that if the earth received 100% of solar energy, there would be more than enough to power everything worldwide? Solar scientists say that would be disastrous, especially because of the enormity of gamma rays that will reach the earth. These are rays that kill living cells and can cause gene mutations. Also, the magnitude of UV rays reaching the earth can be catastrophic.

4. Solar energy plays a role in earth’s water cycle

Solar energy plays many more roles than electricity generation. Elementary science teaches that when water is heated to 100 degrees Celsius, it changes into vapour. It is the same concept as solar energy. As the sun reaches the earth, it heats the surfaces of oceans and other water bodies. The vapour rises into the sky to become condensed water droplets until the sun’s heat makes them fall back to the earth as rain. This is referred to as the complete water cycle, so keep this in mind. Indeed, the sun is a multipurpose natural power source, and science is yet to discover many more uses. 

5. Solar energy is cheaper than fossil fuels

Fossil fuel is the energy generated from burning decomposed plants and animals. Coal, natural gas and oil are examples of fossil fuels. While the raw material for this fuel is natural, it takes so much more to process and convert into the final product. This makes it quite expensive when compared to solar energy. Indeed, the sun is the primary and sole source of solar energy, but certain costly installations are needed to convert the rays to electricity.

When put side by side, solar energy conversion will cost between £2500 and £8000. Admittedly, that is for the most basic setup, including installation cost. On the other hand, the average cost of fossil fuel generation is slightly over £100 megawatts an hour (MWh). It is the main reason oil and natural gas prices continue to spike in the UK and worldwide. This information makes sense why more UK households are going for solar panel installations. So, if you’re considering an alternative power source for your home or business, perhaps, you would like to take another look at the cost-effective benefits of solar energy.