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Here is a collection of extraordinary solar power fun facts. People have used the sun as a heat source for hundreds of years. It is only with the developments in technology that have taken place in recent years that have helped us to finally harness this energy.

Families in ancient Greece built their homes to get the most sunlight throughout the cold winter months. The ancient Greeks thought that the sun was the god Helios and he drove his chariot around the earth up towards the sky in the morning and in the evening back again.

The discovery of the photovoltaic effect is attributed to the French physicist Alexandre-Edmond Becquerel in 1839.

In 1921 the Nobel Peace Prize was given to Albert Einstein for investigations with solar power and photovoltaics.

Way back in 1955 The American Solar Energy Society conducted its first meeting in Phoenix and attracted the first Russian scientist to the US since the second World War. There is film footage showing early photovoltaics which was designed for NASA, solar cookers and solar heating panels.

The first solar flight took place in 1974 in California by an unmanned plane which was specially designed by two brothers Roland and Bob Boucher.

In 1975 the earliest solar vessel was built in England and in 1996 Kenichi Horie from Japan made the first solar powered crossing of the Pacific Ocean using a catamaran.

The first World Solar Challenge was held in 1987. This is a solar-powered motor competition covering 3021 km over the Australian outback from Darwin to Adelaide.

Did you know that it is actually possible to boost any solar power panel output by 75% by simply placing a mirror which is approximately twice the size of the panel on the surface in front of the panel?

Photo voltaic cells do not need direct sunshine to work - you can still produce some electricity on a gloomy day.

Solar electricity is an eco-friendly, sustainable energy and does not put out any harmful carbon dioxide or other pollution. A typical home Photovoltaic system could help save about 1200kg of CO2 annually which is around 30 tonnes spanning a lifetime.

You can store the electrical energy that your solar power system produces in batteries for a cloudy day.

You can sell off any excess electricity you produce with your solar power back to the grid making a bit of money.

It takes no more than 8 minutes for solar energy to travel from the sun down to the earth.

Approximately 30% of the radiation that we get from the sun at the upper atmosphere is actually reflected back into space. The remainder is absorbed by the clouds, oceans and land masses here on Earth. Nevertheless even in these types of conditions, the energy which our planet gets from merely one hour of sun exposure is equivalent to the amount of power that human beings use within a whole year.

Large scale solar projects that are currently being developed world wide show that sun powered clean energy technologies are both achievable and also profitable. Solar power plants generate Megawatts (MW) with one MW being enough energy to supply 1000 homes. One of the most significant solar power projects which the world has ever seen is the "Desertec" plan to utilize the uninhabitable North African desert for a power grid of concentrated thermal power stations which will supply Europe with just about all of its energy needs by the year 2050. So much progress within such a short period of time let us all see where solar electricity will go from here.

Solar Power Companies - Watch Out For The Worldwide Energy Leaders
These days there are thousands of solar power companies that are able to supply solar power equipment to homeowners who want to save money on their energy costs.

Hydroelectric Energy Has Become The Utmost-Invested-In Alternative Energy Source For The Time Being
When it comes to talking about alternative energy resources, there really are quite a few. Throughout the many years quite a few discoveries have been made and it is only in this present era that people are actually harnessing the power of Nature.

Christmas Solar Lights - Making Your Home Safe Through Christmas
Christmas solar lights come on when night falls. They come on all by themselves. You do not need to be in the house for this to happen. Why does this make your house safer?

Solar Energy Powered Veranda String Lights - Economical Added To Your Backyard Deck Lighting
Solar String lights are the most common patio lights, they are similar to Christmas tree lighting with the exception of a plug. Other times you see them wrapped around a tree trunk, hung across a veranda or utilized in some form of outdoor garden decorations.

Develop Your Open Air Space By Using Solar Outdoor LED Lighting
You can find solar LED lights which have been made especially for the outside. These lights can exist through extreme weather conditions. There are also solar lights that feature vandal-proof panels. The actual fact that most of these are automatic also adds to their effectiveness.

Use Small Solar Panels For Small Scale Alternative Energy Projects In Your Home
There has never been a better time to build a small solar panel, make a move to low carbon living and begin to save money on your electricity bills.

Use The Power Of The Sun's Rays With DIY Solar Energy For Your Residence And Produce Your Own Electrical Power
Using the power of sun with solar electricity is a benefit to the environment and to your home. Solar electricity is already being used to supplement power for a number of large cities in North America.

Renewable Power From The Pacific Ocean: Warm Water Found On The Surface
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) was conceived by the French engineer Jacques D'Arsonval in 1881. However, at the time of this writing the Natural Energy Laboratory from Hawaii was the home to the only operating experimental OTEC plant on the face of the earth.

Renewable Energy In Ireland - Building An Eco-Friendly Society
The Irish are currently pursuing energy independence and the further development of their robust economy through the implementation of research and development into alternative energy sources.