Alternative Power – Solar Energy

If you have an interest in understanding how solar energy works and how to reduce your energy bills by utilizing it as an alternative power source, then facts about this form of energy is going to capture your interest! This energy is a renewable resource and one of the oldest method of energy consumption. The fact of the matter is that the sun’s rays are so powerful that if we are to convert that into energy, the Earth will never run out of energy for no less than another 4.5 billion years, scientists say. The sun never creates any unsafe by-product which could harm the environment.

In the early ’50s, this energy was considered as a substitute for man-made energy resources. Further studies lead to the discovery that energy could be obtained through less-expensive sources. The demand for this energy has grown significantly within 20 to 50 % over the last twenty years.

Solar power can support home devices, lighting and water heaters. Nowadays, this form of energy is more heavily priced, but in the future, with increased systematic research, it will cut down the expenses, and will increase its efficiency in the process. By 2025, it’s predicted to generate around 2.5% of the world energy demand through solar energy. This makes it the fastest growing technology.

There are some basic facts about this form of energy that you should know. It is measured in kilo watt hours, and 1 kilowatt=100 watts. One kilo watt hour equals the total quantity of electric energy which is needed to burn a hundred watt light bulb in a span of ten hours. 866 kilowatt hours is the monthly consumption of an average American household. The Residential Energy Consumption Survey conducted in 2001 shows that a yearly energy bill was around 2,000 dollars.

A decrease in unit costs has contributed towards a growth in expansion rates, making it an imperative energy resource. After the year 2000, solar energy has grown at a yearly rate of 40%. Solar power is moving at a progressive rate in the developing countries too, as the employment of fossil fuel has doubled over time.

Compared to this energy which is an unending alternative power source, ordinary fuel reserves are reducing. And unlike costly power grids, setting up solar energy devices (if you’re going to make solar panels, for example) is quite easy. The disadvantage of fossil fuels is that the costs have risen along with the cost of transporting coal, oil and gas.