20 Amazing Facts About Solar Energy

01

Solar farms can last over 40 years with the correct maintenance

Solar panels are incredibly hardy. The average lifespan of a single solar panel can be as long as 40 years if it’s maintained properly. Maintenance generally involves semi-regular cleanings to remove bird droppings, ice or snow and trimming sessions to prevent obstructions from blocking the panels.

It’s important to note that the lifespan of a solar panel also depends on the type of solar panel you’re working with. If your wind farm or property boasts monocrystalline panels, they will likely last far longer than polycrystalline or thin-film alternatives.

02

Solar energy is 100 per cent renewable

By definition, 100 per cent renewable energy is an energy system in which all energy is sourced from renewable sources. So, solar energy, which is fully harnessed from the sun’s irradiance, certainly falls into this bracket.

03

Solar panels still work without direct sunlight

Solar panels work best on glorious, sunny days. But they still work when it’s overcast – you just won’t get as much output as you’d expect when the sun is beaming down. Cloud cover blocks some of the sun’s energy from hitting the ground, reducing overall irradiance.

Curious about how much sunlight is in your area? Use our irradiance calculator to find out whether your land is suitable for solar.

04

You don’t always need planning permission for solar panels

While large-scale solar farms always require planning permission, you can place solar panels on a residential property without it. Anything above four or five panels on a residential property is usually considered a more significant development.

In almost all cases, installing solar panels on a private house doesn’t require planning permission, as it falls under the definition of permitted development rights.

05

Solar energy is a combination of radiant heat and light

While many people think solar energy is just light from the sun, it’s actually a combination of light and heat.

This energy can then be captured by photovoltaic cells to convert sunlight into electricity or through solar thermal technology, which is typically used to heat water.

06

People have been using solar energy since the 7th century B.C.

The history of solar energy stretches back quite a long way.

It’s said that humans once used sunlight to light fires using magnifying glasses as early as the 7th century B.C. Further down the line, in the 3rd century B.C., the Greeks and Romans used solar power to light torches and start fires.

While it doesn’t measure up to the sophisticated photovoltaics we have today, it was undoubtedly the humble beginnings of modern-day solar power.

07

The photovoltaic effect was discovered in 1839

Edmond Becquerel uncovered the photovoltaic effect for the first time in 1839.

While playing around in his father’s lab, he placed silver chloride in an acidic solution. The solution illuminated when it connected to platinum electrodes and generated voltage and current.

08

Bell Labs created the first silicon solar cells in 1954

Almost 120 years after Becquerel discovered the photovoltaic effect, Bells Labs created the first silicon solar cell in 1954. The first solar cell had an efficiency rating of around 6 per cent and could power a small toy Ferris wheel.

09

Earth receives 174 petawatts (PW) of solar radiation daily

Earth receives an enormous 174 petawatts (PW) of solar radiation every single day. For reference, that’s 174,000,000,000 (174 billion) MW per day.

Approximately 30 per cent of this is directly reflected into the atmosphere by clouds and ice, but we’re left with more than enough to harness for energy.

10

Solar technology is getting more efficient over time

Efficiency is critical if you want to make additional income from a solar project.

While the first solar panels only had an efficiency rating of around 6 per cent, top-of-the-range options for domestic properties can be upwards of 22 per cent.

Although they have yet to reach the market for commercial use, researchers have developed PV cells with efficiencies approaching 50 per cent.

11

Solar energy is set to get cheaper as time goes on

Not only has solar energy become more efficient over time, but it’s also becoming more affordable.

According to IRENA, the cost of generating solar energy dropped by 88 per cent between 2010 and 2021. The same study showed that production costs dropped by 13 per cent between 2020 and 2021 alone.

Who knows how quickly it’ll continue to dive if this is what we can expect in a single year?

12

The biggest solar farm in the world is in China

Golmud Solar Park in China is the one of largest solar farms in the world, with a whopping 2.8 GW capacity and a span of 640 acres. However, Bhadla Solar Park is a close second with a capacity of 2.7 GW and a 14,000-acre span.

13

We may one day see solar power stations in space

Scientists want to go the extra mile with renewables by sending solar panels to space.

Several projects are in the works, but LONGi, a Chinese green energy corporation, is currently leading the pack. It could be a major advancement for the renewables sector.

The European Space Agency (ESA) also plans to send panels to space, marking a step forward for the organisation’s Space-Based Solar Power project (nicknamed the SOLARIS Initiative).

14

Solar hugely benefits rural communities and allows landowners to make additional income from their land

Boosting the UK’s solar power capacity would have several environmental benefits. But one overlooked advantage is the serious potential income increase for landowners.

The average solar farm costs around £375,000 per megawatt-hour of electricity produced, and developers need to account for option agreements and rental fees in this figure.

With average rent prices per acre expected to be around £850 to £1,100 in 2023, leasing land is a great idea for landowners.

15

The solar panel industry could help to create around 60,000 additional jobs in the UK by 2035

The UK government aims to create 60,000 solar industry-related jobs by boosting capacity to 70 GW. This figure is set to mark an increase from just 7,000 jobs in 2020.

16

Solar panels can increase the value of a home by as much as 25 per cent

While you might think solar panels decrease a home’s value, they’re in fact a significant price booster if you ever plan to sell.

Admiral Money has found that ‘green appeal’ adds up to 25 per cent to the average home’s value, with buyers and renters appreciating decreased energy costs. The fact that it’s environmentally friendly and increases a home’s energy efficiency doesn’t hurt either.

17

The International Space Station is entirely solar-powered

The International Space Station prides itself on being entirely solar-powered. Eight large solar arrays produce over 20 kilowatts of electricity, keeping the entire station running smoothly.

18

Las Vegas operates on 100 per cent renewable energy, of which a large percentage is solar power

While Las Vegas may not seem like the most environmentally friendly spot in the world, it boasts an incredible renewable energy profile.

The city’s facilities operate on 100 per cent renewable energy, and much of this is drawn from Boulder Solar 1, which powers the centre’s 140 buildings, street lights and parks.

An impressive 75 per cent of Las Vegas’s peak power comes from solar, largely because Nevada’s desert-like climate is ideal for solar energy production.

19

To fully utilise solar energy, we need to seriously boost our energy storage capacity – and fast

While renewables might be affordable, supply can be inconsistent. For example, lower irradiance levels during winter or less blustery weather in the summer can lead to a huge dip in output.

But if we can place energy into storage during peak periods, we’ll have enough capacity to power homes and businesses year-round. Unfortunately, only 3 per cent of global power capacity is being stored, and this needs to increase at least threefold to meet net-zero requirements by 2050. While cumulative installations are set to surpass the terawatt mark by 2030, we still have a long way to go.

20

The world is starting to invest heavily in solar panels

It’s no secret that one of the main facts about solar energy is that China is leading the world in panel production. But the rest of the globe is quickly catching up.

For one thing, The Biden-Harris Administration announced an investment of $82 million for solar manufacturing and recycling as part of its Investing in America Agenda report.

And, the UK government has recently announced £16 million of funding for 12 solar panel projects nationwide. So, we’re still well in on the action.