Green DIY EnergyWhen looking into options for renewable energy solutions it’s important to get the facts… the straight skinny.. the real beans…the black.. the white.. and the stuff in between.. ok ok that’s enough. Below are some solar energy facts that you may find helpful as you research solar energy. They are in no particular order yet very relevant to the topic!

A few uses without going on for pages: lights, indoors, outdoors (see Home Solar Power) appliances, heat for the home, heat forpools (see Solar Water Heaters), cars, air conditioning, batterychargers, RV’s (see RV Solar Panels), mobile homes, camping. You name it. Electricity is electricity no matter howyou look at it.


As far as pollution.. Zip, Zilch, Nada.. etc. Carbon dioxide pollution isn’t in the vocabulary of solar energy. No emissions, greenhouse gases, etc.

It takes FIRST PLACE in the renewable energy choice for home owners.

Some solar energy systems (see Solar Photovoltaic Systems) can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars; others can be relatively inexpensive when it comes to the Do It Yourself kits.

Solar panels can be built in various sizes (see How To Build A Solar Panel), installed in various locations. The only ingredient for efficient use is some good sunlight.

States or countries that are further south in the northern hemisphere, or further north in the southern hemisphere tend to be great locations for solar energy systems because being closer to the equator.

If your home is powered through solar (see Home Solar Power), you are becoming more and more self reliant. You have less dependency on sources of energy which originate in foreign lands.

The term “off grid living” is the driving vision behind home solar power enthusiasts.

When a solar system is produces energy beyond that which is required by the home itself, you do what is called, “feed the grid.” Depending on how this is set up, you can actually have your utility company send you money for using YOUR power!

Battery back up systems (see Deep Cycle Batteries) are very common with solar power systems and can greatly enhance the reliability of your power. This type of system can provide electricity day in and day out without interruption on sunny days, cloudy days and all night.

Solar power systems are scalable. Meaning when you need more power you just add more panels to your system (see How Many Solar Panels?). You determine how much you need and can easily adjust your system to accommodate.

The supply for solar energy is much lower than the worldwide demand.

The measurement for solar energy is a kilowatt-hour. A basic example: A 50 watt light bulb that burns for 20 hours will use 1 kilowatt of energy. (50 watts x 20 hours= 1000 kilowatt/hours) This is how your electric bill is calculated.

Heating the water (see Solar Water Heaters) of our homes comprises about 30 % of our total energy consumption.

It takes approximately 8 minutes for the sun’s energy to travel the 93 million mile journey before it can be converted into electrical energy via a solar cell.

In 1447, Leonardo Da Vinci predicted the eventual onset of the solar industry long before any solar panels had even been conceived.

If all the sun’s energy that radiates to earth over a 1 hour period were able to be harnessed and stored for use, the amount would be capable of powering the entire earth’s usage for an entire year!

The electric oven is the largest consumer of electricity in the home. Microwaves come second followed by central air conditioning.

The fastest growing and largest potential market for solar power is third world countries. A number of these countries have large populations without any electricity. Solar systems are the most practical way to bring electricity to these remote areas.

The final fact is that home solar power represents the easiest opportunity to cut monthly, domestic electrical costs (see Save On Your Electric Bill)