5 Facts You Didn't Know About Solar
5 facts you didn't know about solar will help you understand why solar power and high-quality solar panels are essential for renewable energy as we move away from fossil fuels.
At TerraSol Energies, we specialize in solar energy systems that maximize solar energy, enabling solar panels to generate electricity efficiently and provide a stable, renewable energy supply.
5 Facts You Didn't Know About Solar Power
Most of us know that solar is the cleanest and greenest source of energy. We also know that it’s becoming more widely available as the technology improves to decrease costs and make it more user-friendly. But here are five more facts about solar energy you may not be aware of.
1. We Can Depend On It for About Another Six Billion Years
1. We Can Depend On It for About Another Six Billion YearsThough considered a renewable energy source due to the fact that sunlight does not deplete no matter how much we use it, solar energy will not be around forever.
The sun is approximately 4.57 billion years old and will probably be there for another 6-7 billion years before it burns out and becomes what is known as a white dwarf. We obviously won’t be around in 6 billion years to see the sun burn out, which is a good thing because the event will likely consume the Earth as well.
TerraSol Expert Insight: Global solar energy production is monitored by the International Energy Agency, which notes that solar energy systems increase in kilowatt capacity every year.
Our advanced solar technology makes it easier to install solar panels and harness limitless energy to generate electricity using modern photovoltaic cells. According to the World Energy Outlook, clean energy is the most sustainable way to generate energy in the current energy sector.
2. The Necessity for Solar Energy Became Obvious in 1970
Most Americans were perfectly happy burning fossil fuels for energy until OPEC embargoed oil exports to the United States in 1973, causing shortages and skyrocketing prices.
This event revealed how delicate our reliance on fossil fuels was and kicked off a surge of interest in alternative energy sources, with solar and wind technology quickly becoming the main focus.
Read the article: Solar Power is Beginning to Change the World
3. The World’s Largest Solar Power Plant is in California
The Mojave Desert in California is home to the largest solar power plant in the world, covering 3,200 acres. Named Solar Star, the plant has a capacity of 589 megawatts and creates enough energy to power 255,000 homes.
TerraSol 2025 Update: While Solar Star was a milestone, the solar industry has moved forward. Data from The New York Times and the Energy Department now show projects like the Bhadla Solar Park exceeding this kilowatt capacity.
Over the past decade, solar has become one of the cheapest forms of solar power, even when built on public lands. It is now the fastest-growing among the cheapest clean energy sources.
4. The Earth is Hit with More Solar Power Than We Could Ever Use
4. The Earth is Hit with More Solar Power Than We Could Ever UseThe surface of the Earth is hit with around 174 quadrillion watts of energy from the sun every day. In just one day, that’s enough to power a light bulb for every single person on the planet for the rest of their lives.
However, we are unable to harness large amounts of that energy due to pollution, lack of technology, and the fact that we can’t cover the entire surface of the Earth with solar panels – nor would we want to! The good news is that there is still plenty of solar energy available, and as we get more savvy about capturing it, the better off our planet will be.
TerraSol Perspective: To capture the energy of the sun for the planet, rooftop solar has surpassed thermal energy in local power generation. Because solar saves homeowners money, it is a smarter choice than natural gas or geothermal energy.
These facts about solar energy address our rising energy needs and offer massive environmental benefits. We know that the sun produces enough energy for space stations, serving as a primary power source for the Earth’s surface. To fight climate change and save money, we utilize the photovoltaic effect.
5. The Space Industry Was One of the Earliest Users of Solar Energy
Use of solar energy is not new. In fact, NASA has been benefiting from it since the 1960s. In need of an energy source that would not burn out, NASA incorporated solar technology on spacecraft and on satellites.
Vanguard 1, the first Earth satellite powered by solar cells, is the oldest man-made satellite still in orbit. It has logged over 6 billion miles.
Read the article: Direct Benefits of Installing Solar Panels
Ready to Get a Straight Answer? Talk to TerraSol.
Over the past decade, solar has become the cheapest form of power from the sun on public lands. It remains the fastest-growing energy source among the cheapest sources of clean energy. Since the work of the French physicist on sunlight, we have entered a new era.
Solar energy is one of the many interesting facts about solar for our Earth. We use electricity daily, but the future is in cost-effective technology.
As the fastest-growing source, it is affordable, light, and efficient for the world. The cost of solar saves money and stops pollution. With better panels, we don't need to rely on wind or heat.
Solar energy will continue to play a large role in our planet’s future, enabling us to create products and programs that further reduce emissions and make our world greener. If you have any questions about solar power for home or business installations in Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey, or Delaware, please contact us.
These photovoltaic materials are the best way to harness solar energy for the planet. For those seeking the truth, these are the 5 facts you didn't know about solar.
Frequently Asked Questions: Solar in Pennsylvania
Is PA weather good for solar energy production?
Yes. While sunlight in PA differs from that in California, solar panels actually run more efficiently in our cooler climate than in extreme heat. We’ve found that local solar energy systems often meet or exceed their expected kilowatt capacity.
Learn more about how solar works when it's not sunny to see how your home stays powered during overcast days. Solar saves homeowners thousands by providing a reliable renewable energy supply.
How much does it cost to install solar panels in 2025?
The cost of solar has reached a new era of affordability. According to the International Energy Agency and the World Energy Outlook, solar energy is now among the cheapest sources of power generation. Because solar energy systems increase in kilowatt capacity each year, the cost of rooftop solar is now lower than that of natural gas or coal.
Many homeowners choose grid-tied systems to minimize upfront costs while maximizing long-term savings.
What are the environmental benefits of solar energy?
Solar energy is one of the best clean energy sources to fight climate change and reduce pollution on our planet. Unlike fossil fuels, the energy of the sun is limitless. By using the photovoltaic effect to generate electricity, we reduce the energy sector's reliance on natural gas and geothermal resources.
