Amazing Facts about Solar Energy

Here are some of the most interesting facts about Solar Energy.  You can read some interesting facts about solar energy and sun related information.

• Solar Energy is very good for environment than the traditional forms of energy
• There are many uses of solar energy like producing electricity and heating water
• Solar energy can be used for heating swimming pools, powering cars and also for calculators.  
• It is possible to cook food with solar energy
• Solar energy is measured in Kilowatt-hours.   
• 1 Kilo watt hour = the amount of energy required to burn a 100 watt light bulb for 10 hours
• According to the US Department of Energy, an average American household used approximately 866-kilowatt hours per month in 1999 costing them $70.68.
• About 30% of the total energy consumption by us is used for heating water 
• A solar system for homes typically contains solar panels on roof top, a charge controller unit, an inverter, wiring and support structure
• It takes about 2 days to install a 1 Kilowatt home solar system and costs around Rs.5,00,000 ( US $10,000) and it can vary greatly
• A 1 KW home solar system contains about 10 solar panels of 100 Watts each  and may need a space of 100 square feet for installation  
• A 1 KW home solar power system generates nearly 1,600 Kilowatt hours per year in a sunny climate ( receiving 5 hours of sun shine per day) and nearly 750 Kilowatt hours in a cloudy climate ( 2.5 hours of sun shine per day) 
• You can prevent nearly 77 Kgs. of coal from burning, 135 Kg of CO2 being released into atmosphere and 105 gallons of water from consumed each month by using a 1 KW home solar system
• Around 40 solar cells are usually combined into a single solar panel and 10 to 12 panels are mounted in an array facing due north for receiving maximum sun shine.
• Solar panels come in various colors
• Solar energy can be collected and stored in batteries, which can provide electricity 24x7 even on cloudy days and at night
• The amount of sun light that falls on earth in one hour is more than what is being used by entire world population in one year.
• In the year 1990, a solar powered air craft flew 4060 Kms. across USA using no fuel.  This was the world record.
• About 2 billion people in the world are without electricity at present.
• The third world countries with abundant quantity of sun light and most population are currently without electricity represent the fastest growing market for solar energy. 

  
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