Solar power is essentially part of a large nuclear power plant, with the main supply coming from about 93 million miles away and the sun supplies enough energy in one hour to supply the entire world for about a year. Once people begin to understand the solar energy facts they begin to understand that it may become a viable part in providing a renewable energy source.

Currently, typical solar cells operate at an efficiency of about 15- percent with some less expensive cells operating at eight percent efficiency. It is these solar energy facts that are making some people reluctant to embrace this technology. Reducing carbon dioxide emissions as well as lower the dependence of oil and coal, as well as other fossil fuels make it attractive to environmentalists, but the low efficiency rating of the current crop of photovoltaic collectors that keep it from growing beyond its current annual growth of about 25 percent.

The average home will use about 1,000 kilowatts per month and it will cost just under $10,000 for a solar electric system to meet that demand. Spread out over five years, the warranty period of most of the systems components, brings the cost down to about $2,000 per year. Considering the solar energy facts, the average of $167 a month may be higher than the current bill, but if the components last longer or the costs of components continue to fall, so will the average monthly cost of solar power.

Global Solar Use Continues To Increase

In 1985, solar energy installation added just 21 megawatts to the power grid while in 2006 at was producing 1,744 megawatts, a significant growth in an industry using components with just a 15 percent efficiency rate. However, according to solar energy facts, with a one-year growth of 33 percent in 2006, the United States continues to push for greener power supplies.

Other countries are also pushing to reduce the dependency on fossil fuels with Japan offering loans for solar power systems and German, also offering loans to homeowners, also, based on solar energy facts, allows homes generating at least 1,000 kilowatts to sell the electricity exceeding their requirements back to the power company.

As more people realize the annual savings on electric costs can realize a profit after five years of their initial investment, they are taking more interest in solar energy facts and how they can provide power to remote locations with no accessibility to traditional electricity suppliers.