Fun Facts: Solar Energy Is Here, It Now!

By Author: Matt May
Total Articles: 60
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Alright, so the fun facts, solar energy or any other energy is not exactly as much fun as a barrel of monkeys, but they are interesting. If you like learning, stumping your opponents during Trivial Pursuit and being able to make wise decisions to help the planet from not going up in a puff of smoke, then the facts will indeed be fun to read.

Fun Facts: Solar Energy #1

Guess which country uses the most solar energy? No. Guess again. Not there, either.

The country is.(wait for it)

Germany!

Now, Germany is not exactly known for its brilliant sunshine. But Germany uses more energy made from solar power than anywhere else. So that kind of puts a dent in the argument that places like Canada can't possibly be run on solar power.

Fun Facts: Solar Energy #2

Albert Einstein, infamous for developing the theory of relativity, also knew his fun facts, solar power and nuclear power. He did many experiments in solar power panels (called photovoltaic panels) that caught the attention of so many respected scientists that he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Science in 1921. Perhaps his experiments ...
... explains why Einstein's hair looked the way it did.

Fun Facts: Solar Energy #3

You can cook and sterilize water using solar power. In Africa, it is common practice to place water in clear plastic bottles and place it on a dark covered roof. The sunlight cooks away most bacteria that could get someone sick if they drank the water straight from the well or spring. You can also buy solar collector boxes that work as a solar powered oven. They were invented in 1830 by famous astronomer John Herschel.

Fun Facts: Solar Energy #4

Remember those photovoltaic panels I mentioned in Fun Facts: Solar Energy #2? You don't? Well, anyway, we'll call them PV panels for short. PV panels are made with silicon, which comes from sand. One ton of silicon can produce as much electrical energy as 500,000 tons of coal. And you don't get all covered in thick soot, to boot. But more importantly, solar energy doesn't produce the harmful gasses that are making the hole in the ozone layer bigger. And that's fun facts, solar energy and coal energy. Two kinds of energies in only one fun fact.

Fun Facts: Solar Energy #5

According to the US Department of Energy, photovoltaic panels (PV panels) cost almost 200% less than they did in the 1970's. At least that's ONE thing that hasn't been affected by inflation.

Those are five fun facts, solar energy and you. When you get old enough to vote, you can make sure there are more fun facts, solar energy and other kinds of renewable energy.