Solar Energy Facts

Solar energy is astonishingly abundant on earth. The sun continuously bathes the planet with 173,000 terawatts of power. To put that massive amount into perspective, it's over 10,000 times greater than the total global energy consumption. The sun provides more than enough energy in just one hour to supply our energy needs for an entire year.

By harnessing even a tiny fraction of the solar energy that reaches the Earth, we can drastically reduce our reliance on finite fossil fuels. The incredible scale of the solar resource demonstrates that the potential for solar power to meet our energy needs is nearly limitless.

The space industry pioneered the use of solar power long before it was adopted more widely. As early as the 1950s, solar cells were utilized to generate electricity on spacecraft. The Vanguard 1, launched in 1958, was the first artificial satellite powered by the sun's rays.

Now in its 65th year in orbit, it still holds the record for the oldest human-made satellite continuously operating in space. With over 6 billion miles logged, Vanguard 1 helped demonstrate the vast potential of solar energy. Its legacy sparked further innovation in photovoltaics for space travel. This paved the way for solar technology to later provide clean electricity across Earth. The space industry's early adoption of solar energy truly launched the sun's endless power into our future.

With solar panel prices dropping, harnessing the sun's rays has become an attractive energy option for many American households and companies. But bureaucratic soft costs still drive up the total price tag. Permitting, zoning, and connecting to the electrical grid pile on over $2,500 per solar system installation and drag out the process for months.

To cut this red tape, the Department of Energy's SunShot Initiative is targeting these hidden fees. Through programs streamlining paperwork and standardizing regulations, SunShot aims to make it faster, easier and more affordable than ever to adopt solar. Smoothing out the soft cost hurdles will allow even more citizens to readily access the benefits and savings of solar energy for their homes or businesses. The SunShot soft costs program is lighting the way for solar power to shine across the nation.

Solar Panels – What are They and How Does Solar Energy Work?

Solar panels, also known as photovoltaic (PV) panels, are devices that convert sunlight into electricity. Here's a quick overview of how they work and their key components:

Solar panels contain photovoltaic cells, usually made of silicon, that absorb photons from sunlight. This generates an electric current as the photons knock electrons loose in the cells.
The PV cells are wired together in a grid-like pattern on the solar panels. The generated current flows from the panels into an inverter which converts the DC current into AC current that can be used to power lights, appliances, etc.
Solar panels are mounted on rooftops, ground mounts, or tracker frames to maximize their exposure to sunlight throughout the day. Orienting panels to face south (in the northern hemisphere) optimizes energy production.
While sunlight is free, there are costs associated with purchase, installation, maintenance, etc. But over the long term, energy from solar panels is very cost effective compared to conventional utility electricity.
Solar energy production peaks during midday hours but can still produce energy even on cloudy days, just at reduced output. Solar power can be stored in batteries for use when the sun isn't shining.
The modular nature of panels allows solar arrays to be expanded over time to increase energy production capacity. Solar power systems require little maintenance and have lifespans of 20-30 years.

In summary, solar PV panels generate clean, renewable power by converting sunlight into electricity. Their simple setup directly on homes and buildings makes solar energy accessible. With solar electricity costs dropping, adoption continues to grow globally. Let me know if you need any clarification or have additional questions!

Solar panels are made up from a number of solar “cells”. These cells are wired together into a single rectangular plate-like panel of what appears to be dark glass. The solar cells are responsible for generating the electricity. When the cells are exposed to sunlight, layers of positive and negative silicon are pressed together within each cell, converting the sun’s photons into electricity.

How Much Electricity is Generated by a Single Solar System?

The amount of electricity generated by a single solar PV system depends on several factors:

Size of the system - Measured in kilowatts (kW), the more solar panels you have, the more electricity you can generate. Residential systems are typically 3-8 kW, while commercial systems can be 100 kW or larger.
Efficiency of the solar panels - Measured as the percentage of sunlight that gets converted to electricity. Typical panel efficiencies are 15-22%. Higher efficiency panels will produce more electricity.
Amount of sunlight - Areas that receive more annual sunlight will generate more solar electricity. The orientation and tilt of the panels also impact production.
Location - Solar output varies by geographic location. Sunnier climates like Arizona or California will produce more solar electricity compared to less sunny spots.

As an example, a 5 kW solar system with 17% efficient panels located in Phoenix, AZ could generate around 6500-8500 kWh of electricity per year. This is enough to offset over half the annual electricity use of a typical home.

The solar potential for a site can be calculated by solar professionals. They factor in the system size, equipment, location, orientation, shading obstructions, and other variables to estimate the yearly kilowatt-hour production. This helps determine if solar PV is viable and provides an idea of the potential savings and return on investment.

How Popular is Solar Energy in the US?

Solar energy has experienced massive growth in the United States over the last decade. Here are some key facts about the popularity and expansion of solar power:

As of 2022, over 3 million homes and businesses in the U.S. have installed solar panels, up from just 30,000 in 2000.
Currently the U.S. has over 100 gigawatts (GW) of total installed solar capacity. This is enough to power 18 million average homes.
Solar accounted for 43% of all new electricity generating capacity added in the U.S. in 2021, more than any other energy source.
The amount of solar energy produced in the U.S. has grown at an average annual rate of 42% over the last 10 years.
Prices for solar panels have dropped by more than 70% over the last decade, driving adoption. Most solar installations now pay for themselves within 5-7 years.
California leads the nation in solar energy, with over 30 GW installed. But other sunny states like Florida, Texas and Arizona are rapidly expanding solar capacity.
Polls show over 80% of Americans support expanding solar power generation. Strong state and federal incentives have further propelled solar forward.
The Biden Administration has set a goal for solar to provide up to 40% of U.S. electricity by 2035. Achieving this would require quadrupling current solar capacity.

So solar power has gone from a niche renewable energy source to accounting for about 3% of U.S. electricity generation in just over a decade. With solar energy's environmental and cost benefits, adoption is projected to continue its strong growth in the years ahead.

Why Is It A Good Time To Install Solar Panels in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts offers many tax incentives and rebates to make it easy for homeowners to have a solar system installed in their homes.

Here they are:

MA Personal Tax Credit
Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC)
Property and Sales Exemption
The Commonwealth Solar II Rebate Program
State Grant program

How Much Money Can You Save?

The exact amount that you can save on your electricity bill will depend on a number of factors. Those are:

Electricity rate charges imposed by your utility.
How much sunlight your home receives. Areas of more sunshine generally generate higher levels of solar electricity.
Solar panel installation size. Obviously, the larger the installation, the more power can be generated.

Top Five Solar Power Facts

When the sun shines on a solar panel, the panel converts the energy to electricity because two opposingly-charged layers of silicone produce an electrical current.
Although when exposed to sunlight solar panels reach peak levels of efficiency which favors the southern states of North America, solar energy is still very popular in northern states such as Massachusetts and New York.
Solar energy production can increase your home value because it reduces your overall electricity bill, thus it’s a very good investment. Whilst the federal government offer a tax credit of 30 percent on the cost of installing a solar system at home, many states provide further cash incentives in order to reduce the financial burden of the initial installment.
Traditional fossil fuels such as coal and electricity are difficult to extract and oil extraction has been seen to cause large-scale damage to the environment. Moreover, usage of fossil fuels may release toxic chemicals and a variety of other pollutants into the atmosphere. On the other hand, solar energy is perfectly clean, emission free, and continually renewable.
Solar panels can last for up to 30 years and really require very little maintenance. Most solar panel installers provide a maintenance service after installation, and virtually all panels come with lengthy warranty periods. Finally, solar technology has proven to be a very safe form of energy.