| Several decades ago, solar energy was viewed as an | | | | - Roughly 30% of the solar consumption today is used |
| over-priced fad that originated from environmental | | | | for heating water. |
| concerns which arose in the early 1960's. Today, it is | | | | Facts about Systems Used for Generating Solar |
| being viewed as a dire necessity if there is any hope | | | | Energy |
| of improving the environment. It's no secret that the | | | | - Solar systems for the home consist of 6 |
| global environment has been abused and is in trouble | | | | components - a battery, a charge controller, an |
| due to the continual use of non-renewable fossil fuels | | | | inverter, a battery, solar panels, a support structure, |
| used in the production of energy and power. | | | | and wiring. |
| As a result, it has become incredibly important to | | | | - Solar for the home that are rated as a 1-kilowatt |
| understand the importance and relevance of using | | | | system usually take about 1 to 2 days for installation |
| solar energy where the preservation of the global | | | | and typically cost $10,000 or even more depending on |
| environment is concerned. In order to shed more light | | | | the size of the home that is being powered by the |
| on the importance of utilizing solar energy, the following | | | | system. |
| is a list of numerous solar energy facts that you may | | | | - A 1-kilowatt system requires a space of roughly 100 |
| or may not be aware of. | | | | square feet for installation purposes and typically |
| General Solar Facts | | | | consists of 10 to 12 solar cells. |
| - Solar is environmentally-friendly | | | | - If your home receives an average of 5½ hours |
| - Electricity production for the heating of water and | | | | of direct sunlight per day, a 1-kilowatt solar energy |
| production of electricity are just two ways in which | | | | system can generate about 1,600 kilowatt hours |
| you benefit from using solar energy. Drying your | | | | annually. That figure drops to less than half the output |
| clothes in direct sunlight is also another benefit of using | | | | if you live in a climate prone to cloudy days. |
| the sun's heat and light. | | | | - A 1-kilowatt system eliminates the burning of |
| - Solar can also enable you to heat up your swimming | | | | approximately 170 pounds of coal, 300 pounds of |
| pool as well as power up small appliances or a vehicle. | | | | carbon dioxide from being released into the |
| - You can cook your food with solar energy. | | | | atmosphere, and saves up to 105 gallons of water |
| - The worldwide demand for solar continues to grow | | | | consumption monthly. |
| on a daily basis and is currently bigger than the supply. | | | | - Most of the solar systems on the market today |
| Solar Energy Facts Regarding Usage | | | | feature a 5-year warranty although the life of solar |
| - Solar energy is typically measured in what is called | | | | panels has been estimated at up to 30 years. |
| "kilowatt hours" (kWh) or 1,000 watts, which equates to | | | | - Adding a battery back-up to your solar system |
| the amount of electricity necessary to light up a 100 | | | | ensures that you have electricity when the sun isn't |
| watt light bulb for 10 hours. | | | | shining. |