Does your electric bill have you stumbling and cursing the municipalities? You can untether yourself from their mighty grip by installing a set of solar panels on your roof. The average American saves nearly $1,500 per year because of their independence from electric companies.
Since the majority of companies already provide green energy plans, you can begin to compare electricity rates from trustworthy energy providers to decide which one can help you save on your electricity bill.
There’s a lot of mystique surrounding solar energy. Some think it’s too expensive or too cumbersome, but that’s not entirely true. The savings available in solar energy are unimaginable—not only to your wallet, but to the planet.
If that doesn’t entice you, maybe these 7 surprising facts about solar energy will.
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1. California Is the US Leader
California is always ahead of the curve when it comes to greenifying. There are nearly 750 solar operating plants in the western state, and they’re producing a combined 28.5 gigawatt-hours of energy per year.
That’s a promising 14% reliance on this renewable resource.
2. Solar Energy Units Are the Quickest to Install
Compared to other sources of energy, solar energy can be deployed quickly. There’s no drilling for oil or installation of turbines; it’s all in the power of the sun.
Because of this, it makes a great disaster solar powered generator.
3. China Leads the Race
California might be ahead of the pack in the United States, but it’s not producing even half the energy that China is.
In the first half of the year, China output more energy than California did annually. Their production is insane!
4. Declining Costs of Solar Energy
There has been a near 100% reduction in cost since solar power came to fruition. Barely ten years ago, solar cost roughly $8 per watt compared to its installation price. It has now shrunk to less than $3.
5. Most Abundant on the Planet
You and your household may run entirely on electricity contrived from fossil fuels, but that resource is quickly dissipating. The most abundant energy resource on the planet is the sun.
Every hour, the sun releases enough energy to power 2,900 trillion lightbulbs. That’s 12 trailing zeroes.
6. Solar Can Fly Planes
Solar energy is sufficient enough to power an airplane entirely around the world. This feat has already been empirically accomplished with the groundbreaking Solar Pulse 2 aircraft.
7. Facts About Solar Energy: Number in the US
Right now, solar panels power over 2 million homes in the United States. That’s a small step in the right direction, but it’s still around 1% of the entire market of houses.
We’re Going Super Nova!
The cost of electricity is astounding, especially when there’s a cheaper and more accessible resource. Some facts about solar energy may surprise you.
California and China are going head-to-head in a race to greenify their energy with solar. Solar energy has declined in cost almost exponentially, and it’s the easiest energy resource to harvest because of its vast abundance. Solar energy has reached a new height; aircraft can operate entirely on the sun for their electrical needs.
Are you as fascinated with solar energy as we are? Check out our other sunny articles.
