Solar energy is one of the world's most promising renewable energy sources. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, renewables like solar energy accounted for 88% of all new electricity generation capacity in 2021. So, how much energy does solar actually produce? In this blog post, we will answer this question and more!
Solar energy is a clean and renewable resource that has the potential to meet a large portion of the world’s energy needs. In 2020, solar energy provided about two percent of the world’s total electricity. This might not sound like a lot, but it is a significant increase from the less than one percent solar provided in 2010.
The amount of solar energy produced each year depends on a few factors, including the amount of sunlight that hits the Earth’s surface and the efficiency of solar panels. It is estimated that In one hour, the amount of power from the sun that strikes the Earth is more than the entire world consumes in a year. This means that if we could harness all of this solar energy, we would have more than enough to meet our energy needs.
The amount of electricity that a solar panel produces depends on its size and efficiency. Most residential solar panels are about 65 inches by 39 inches and produce about 200 watts of power. This means that a single solar panel can generate enough electricity to power about five light bulbs.
The number of solar panels needed to power a house depends on the size of the house and the amount of electricity used. On average, it takes about 28 to 32 solar panels to power a home. However, this number can vary depending on the efficiency of the solar panels and the amount of electricity required.
The most efficient solar panels are made with crystalline silicon, which can convert about 22% of the sunlight that hits it into electricity. However, these types of solar panels are also the most expensive. Solar panels made with amorphous silicon are less efficient but much cheaper. The thing is, even the least efficient solar panels can still produce a significant amount of electricity.
In 2021, the cost of solar energy had decreased by about 64% since 2010. The average cost of installing a solar panel system is now about $18,000. However, the cost of solar energy will continue to decrease as technology improves and more people switch to renewable energy sources.
While the world’s current dependence on fossil fuels is concerning, the good news is that renewable energy sources like solar are on the rise. As technology improves and we find more ways to harness solar energy, we can expect the amount of energy produced from solar to increase. For professional solar energy services, get in touch with Transform Energy.