Green Energy

Facts About Solar Energy — Little Known, Yet Interesting

Ever wished you could win more games of Trivial Pursuit? Or go on a long winning streak of some trivial game show? Well, you have to start your trivial knowledge somewhere, so how about we give you some interesting facts about solar energy for your first category? Let the facts begin.

Which country uses the most solar energy?

If you guessed the United States, you’re wrong. Britain? Nope, try again. Brazil? Not yet. Germany? Bingo. Ethiopia? Germany was the right answer.

In spite of its location way up above the equator and its relatively small population, Germany currently uses more solar energy than any other country. That blows holes in the common assumptions made in the northern states that solar energy isn’t a plausible local energy solution.

Was Albert Einstein involved with solar energy?

Of course, he was! Did you think the guy who defined the equation for energy wouldn’t know the facts about solar energy? In fact, though his work in solar energy was overshadowed by things like relativity and nuclear weapons, it had a large part to do with his Nobel Peace Prize for Science in 1921. Albert Einstein in fact was responsible for numerous solar experiments with early Photovoltaic solar panels. The only question is whether this is what made his hair stand up in all directions.

Can raw solar energy, without any sort of power cells, really boil water?

Yes, it can. In fact, we’ve even known how to do it for a long time. In Africa, scientists have taught people how to sterilize water bottles by placing them on top of dark surfaces. But to get water to the point of boiling, all you need is one of those handy little solar cookers from the 18th century. Or, you can get a full solar oven if you’d rather. The solar oven was invented in 1830 by John Herschel, an astronomer.

Are Einstein’s Photovoltaic Panels still in use today?

No, but kind of yes. Photovoltaic solar panels are still used today, but in the 1950s they were given a silicon base and became much more efficient than they had been when Einstein was doing his research. Silicon is a product of the seemingly unlimited resource we call sand. It only takes 1 ton of silicon to produce enough photovoltaic cells to make as much electrical energy as can be made from 500,000 tons of coal. Further, you don’t make all kinds of air pollutants when you use silicon based photovoltaic solar panels, as you of course do make when you burn fossil fuels for electricity production.

How has inflation affected the cost of photovoltaic panels?

Are you kidding? After all of that hyperinflation during the 1970s? Actually, photovoltaic panels cost about 200% less than they did in the 1970s and are in some cases twice as efficient at the conversion of solar energy into electricity as they were in the 1970s. So you get about four times as much electricity for your money from photovoltaic panels now. Sounds like hyper deflation to me. Seriously, it is just a matter of improved photovoltaic production technology.

So there you go! You have now mastered some facts about solar energy that might come in handy during your next game of Trivial Pursuit.

About the Author

Get more solar energy facts, and learn how solar energy can help in your life, by visiting http://www.solarenergyfacts.net

Eco Kids Explore – Solar Power

Cafe del mar (Three’n One/Solar Stone Remixes/Kid Paul Mix/Universal State of Mind Remix) / Vinyl Maxi Single [Vinyl 12''] …

Sunlight Desk Lamp Natural Full Spectrum Sun Light. Simulates Daylight. 150Watt Output uses 27 Watts. Touch On/Off Switch. $29.99 Best Gift For Youself or Loved Ones. Benefits of full spectrum Lighting: 1) Increases contrast in Reading. 2) Increase release of seratonin a hormone linked to an improved feeling of well being. 3) Increases vitamin D production in skin, which helps the body efficiently use calcium. 4) Render color much more accurately. 5) Reduce levels of melatonin, a harmone that promotes fatigue. About the Bulb…

Suck UK Sun Jar LED Solar Light, Yellow $28.89 The Sun Jar makes the most of nature by storing the sun’s energy for you to use when the stars come out! The unique fantastically designed Sun Jar runs off an energy efficient LED light and automatically glows with natural light at the brightness of a candle when night falls! Automatic, fully portable and an absolute delight to use, the Sunjar brightens any interior or garden creating a warm welco…

C. Crane BNB Bright Night LED Nightlight Bulb $888.00 Finish:Black The CC Vivid Bright Night puts out less light than a conventional 4-watt incandescent bulb, but it does serve the purpose of low illumination at night and lasts a long time. E12 type Candelabra base bulb Last 20,000+ hours Run cool Won’t shatter like glass Energy efficient. Fits most standard night-light fixtures 1.3 watts 2-year limited warranty…

Race for Renewable Energy $39.95 And they’re off! The Race for Renewable Energy is underway as Bonehead and a gang of racers compete in the “Cannonbone Run” — each using a different renewable fuel source: battery, wind, biodiesel, solar, and even foot power! J.P. Rothbone and his sniveling cronies have other plans! They will stop at nothing to ensure gaining notoriety for their own fuel product, Rothenol, which is actually nothi…

Sentina Solarbug Keychain Safety Light, (Pack of 2) $17.14 The Sentina SolarBug is the perfect safety light for a childs backpack, belt loop, bike or jacket…

Sukin Simon Solar Soothing Spray, Aloe Vera and Tea Tree, 4.23 Fluid Ounce $9.95 Simon solar knows all about natural energy and how to manage the aftermath. He works hard to cool, soothe and clean skin with one quick painless squirt….

Casio Men’s G100-1BV G-Shock Classic Ana-Digi Watch $57.39 …

Casio GW500A-1V G-Shock Atomic Solar Watch $60.01 The shock-resistant design of the Casio Men’s G-Shock Atomic Tough Solar Watch makes it a one-of-a-kind timepiece. This tough watch is constructed with a durable black resin case, a stationary stainless steel bezel, and a black resin wristband with an adjustable buckle clasp for a personalized fit. A durable mineral window shields the digital-gray dial face, which features the time display, as wel…

Casio Men’s AW80D-7A Sports Chronograph Alarm 10-Year Battery Databank Watch $19.00 A great choice for globetrotters, this stylish Casio analog-digital stainless steel watch for men combines the timeless look of an analog watch with the functionality of a digital watch. The round watch case has a raised bezel that frames the silvery blue dial, which includes a full Arabic numeral display and luminous dagger-style hands. A digital window sits above 6 o’clock displays time from a s…

Energy $12.95 Giving kids a hands-on opportunity to see energy in action, these 25 projects are an exciting introduction to the ways this hot topic affects both world politics and everyday lives. Packed with information about what energy really is, where it comes from, and its alternative sources, the projects range from a steam-powered boat and a solar-powered water heater to an electric burglar alarm and a geothermal geyser. The tough topics of energy shortages are covered with enthusiasm in a lively discussion so kids can make educated, positive changes for their future.

Passive Solar Energy in Buildings $230 Passive Solar Energy in Buildings

Solar Energy $119.95 Provides detailed knowledge for converting solar radiation into a suitable energy supply. This work examines thermosolar collectors, photovoltaics modules, and other important types of solar receivers. It also covers typical cost-effective applications, including water pumping, residential electrification, lighting and small-scale irrigation.

Solar Energy Kit $17.99 This kit will help you learn about the amazing power of solar energy! With the rapidly rising cost of conventional energy, Solar Power will become increasingly important as it taps the limitless energy of the sun. Solar Cell converts light energy into electrical energy. Contents include a five solar

Control of Solar Energy Systems $179 “Control of Solar Energy Systems” details the main solar energy systems, problems involved with their control, and how control systems can help in increasing their efficiency. Thermal energy systems are explored in depth, as are photovoltaic generation and other solar energy applications such as solar furnaces and solar refrigeration systems. This second and updated edition of “Advanced Control of Solar Plants” includes new material on: solar towers and solar tracking; heliostat calibration, characterization and offset correction; solar radiation, estimation, prediction, and computation; and integrated control of solar plants. This new edition contains worked examples in the text as well as proposed exercises and simulation models and so will be of great use to the student and academic, as well as the industrial practitioner.

Hello Kitty Solar Energy Calculator (Pink) $10.53 This solar energy calculator is environmentally friendly.

Solar Energy Engineering $125 With the threat of global warming, and the gradual depletion of petroleum supplies, solar electric power is rapidly becoming significant part of our energy mix. The range of solar cells spans different materials and different structures in the quest to extract maximum power from the device while keeping the cost to a minimum. Devices with efficiency exceeding 30% have been demonstrated in the laboratory. Solar Energy Engineering: Processes and Systems. Solar Energy Processes and Systems includes all areas of solar energy engineering. All subjects are presented from the fundamental level to the highest level of current research. The book includes subjects such as energy related environmental problems, solar collectors, solar water heating, solar space heating and cooling, industrial process heat, solar desalination, photovoltaics, solar thermal power systems and modelling of solar systems including the use of artificial intelligence systems in solar energy systems modelling and performance prediction. Environmental consequences of solar energy Solar desalination including indirect systems Modelling and performance prediction of solar energy systems Worked examples and cases studies

Physics of Solar Energy $140 The definitive guide to the science of solar energy You hold in your hands the first, and only, truly comprehensive guide to the most abundant and most promising source of alternative energy—solar power. In recent years, all major countries in the world have been calling for an energy revolution. The renewable energy industry will drive a vigorous expansion of the global economy and create more “green” jobs. The use of fossil fuels to power our way of living is moving toward an inevitable end, with sources of coal, petroleum, and natural gas being fiercely depleted. Solar energy offers a ubiquitous, inexhaustible, clean, and highly efficient way of meeting the energy needs of the twenty-first century. This book is designed to give the reader a solid footing in the general and basic physics of solar energy, which will be the basis of research and development in new solar engineering technologies in the years to come. As solar technologies like solar cells, solar thermal power generators, solar water heaters, solar photochemistry applications, and solar space heating-cooling systems become more and more prominent, it has become essential that the next generation of energy experts—both in academia and industry—have a one-stop resource for learning the basics behind the science, applications, and technologies afforded by solar energy. This book fills that need by laying the groundwork for the projected rapid expansion of future solar projects.

Solar and Geothermal Energy $48 Solar energy and geothermal energy have a good deal in common. They are abundant and widely, if unevenly, distributed. Describing the nature of solar and geothermal energy and the processes by which these sources of energy can be harnessed, this book details how they are used in practice to supply electricity to the power markets.

Solar Energy Conversion $260 A large number of solar cell and solar cell systems are described in this volume. The theory of their operation, their design and the levels of their performance is discussed. Originally the book appeared in 1978 but extensive change over the intervening years in the fields of energy generation and consumption, solar energy and solar cells, has necessitated the publication of an updated version. The text initially surveys the requirements of humanity, the subsequent need for solar cells, the nature of sunlight and the properties of semiconductors. Concrete examples, extensive references and theoretical arguments are then used to present a comparison of options available in the design and operation of solar cells and solar cell systems. The cells – constructed from single, crystal, polycrystalline and amorphous semiconductors – and the systems – have varying designs and differing levels of solar energy for input and produce electricity or electrical and thermal energies. Solar cell production, economics and environmental effects are considered throughout the publication.

Solar Energy in the Winemaking Industry $229 "Solar Energy in the Winemaking Industry" fully documents all aspects of the modern solar winery, beginning with the main drivers (environmental, economic and political) and detailing the current winemaking industry and solar technologies available. It details the various energy demands in the winemaking process from harvest to bottling and beyond. "Solar Energy in the Winemaking Industry" catalogues the range of wineries globally that have installed a substantial solar collecting system and uses case study material to give the reader an appreciation of the diversity of solar winery facilities. From large industrial-style wineries to boutique family-run wineries; from new state-of-the-art facilities to 15th-century palaces, the application for solar is limitless. This book deals finally with the physical design, installation and operation of the solar system within the winery environment, detailing the equipment, methodologies, processes and concerns that must be addressed in their creation.This presents the reader with a range of solar design and system options, including: generic system type; installation; mounting arrangements; operation; different module and inverter components and configurations; connection; and, finance. Owners, managers and planners involved in the design, building or management of a winemaking facility will derive particular benefit from "Solar Energy in the Winemaking Industry", but it will also be of interest to anyone with an interest in the wine or solar industries.

Nice Solar Energy Shaver Environmental Friendly $21.56 Nice Solar Energy Shaver Environmental Friendly

NEW Solar Power Energy Cooling Fan $5.9 NEW Solar Power Energy Cooling Fan

Solar Thermal and Biomass Energy $170 This book concerns renewable energy sources and in particular, it collects the state-of-the-art in thermal solar techniques and biomasses. Conventional energy sources based on oil, coal and natural gas are damaging economic and social progress, the environment and human life. Many people are concerned about these problems and wish to address the symptoms as a matter of urgency, but not all understand the basic causes and consequently do not realize that not only technological, but also social changes are required. It is now widely acknowledged that renewable energy capacity has to be increased by exploiting its enormous potential. A policy of energy sustainability can’t leave solar energy exploitation out of consideration. Besides being the origin of almost all the other energy sources, renewable and conventional, excluding geothermic, nuclear and gravitational (tides) ones, the energy provided by the Sun is free, endless and clean (the devices used to exploit solar energy are characterized by very low emissions while running). Moreover solar energy is easy to harness and distribute (it is particularly abundant in many world areas with depressed and difficult economic situation). Very few books treat so diffusely the state-of-the-art in thermal solar technologies and especially biomasses, a topic in which there is a bit of confusion due to the very wide range of technologies related to this area. Renewable energy education is a relatively new field and previously it formed a minor part of traditional university courses. However, over the past decade, several new approaches have emerged: we see these in the new literature and, even more clearly, in new books.  The present treatise, in the authors’ auspices, represents a contribution to this new ‘incoming science’.

Nanostructured Materials for Solar Energy Conversion $225 Nanostructured Materials for Solar Energy Conversion covers a wide variety of materials and device types from inorganic materials to organic materials. This book deals with basic semiconductor physics, modelling of nanostructured solar cell, nanostructure of conventional solar cells such as silicon, CIS and CdTe, dye-sensitized solar cell, organic solar cell, photosynthetic materials, fullerene, extremely thin absorber (ETA) solar cell, quantum structured solar cell, intermediate band solar cell, carbon nanotube, etc. including basic principle and the latest results. There are many books written on conventional p-n junction solar cells, but few books focus on new concepts in this area. * Focuses on the use of nanostructured materials for solar energy * Looks at a wide variety of materials and device types * Covers both organic and inorganic materials