💡 Did You Know?

The U.S. Department of Energy and the National Community Solar Partnership (NCSP) are hoping to use solar energy to power the equivalent of five million households by 2025 and create $1 billion in energy bill savings. Furthermore, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) projects solar energy could provide 45% of the electricity in the United States by 2050. 

But why? What is solar power and why are countries all over the world racing to increase their use of it?

Bhadla Solar Park in India is the largest solar farm in the world. Image credit: Azure Power

Solar energy is any type of energy generated by the sun. Solar energy warms the Earth, causes wind and weather, and sustains plant and animal life. You may have heard of photosynthesis, which is the process used by plants to  convert the sun’s energy into chemical energy (or food). However, solar cells, or photovoltaic cells, convert solar energy into electricity. 

Solar energy is the cleanest and most abundant renewable energy source available. This means solar energy is generated from natural resources and can be used over and over again without releasing carbon dioxide or other harmful fossil fuels into the air.

• Reduces air pollution, thereby improving public health.
• Reduces dependence on importing fuels from other countries.
• Creates economic development and jobs in manufacturing, installation, and more.

Now you know why solar energy is useful. How can we understand it and control it to do what we want?