It is surprising to note that it is actually less expensive to recover energy from the sun than by means of conventional methods of power generation. As you can see from our list of solar energy facts, solar power is clearly a viable alternative to energy generated by means of fossil fuels. This, coupled with declining costs over the last 15 years, makes solar power a realistic alternative for homeowners as well.

1. Around 2 billion people in the world have no access to electricity. Solar energy would be their cheapest form of electricity.



2. It takes 3.3kWh of energy to generate 1kWh of electricity. It costs far less to generate your own electricity.



3. Over its useful life, a single 175 watt solar module can produce 12,000kWh of useable electricity.



4. The earth receives more energy from the sun in just one hour than the entire world uses in a year.



5. The solar electric systems installed since 1988 provide enough electricity to power 250,000 American homes or more than 8 million homes in the developing world.



6. Around 70% of U.S. solar cell production is exported, mostly to third world countries where 2 billion people still live without power.



7. Solar electricity is rapidly becoming the power supply of choice for remote, small-power DC applications of 100w or less.



8. Solar generated power correlates with utilities’ daily load patterns, because the power is available when it is needed most, during daylight hours.



9. Technological advances continue to drive down the costs of solar electric systems making them far more affordable.



10. Many states allow you sell your excess solar generated electricity back to your power company through net metering!



11. The typical home solar electric system costs around $7.00-$10.00 per Watt installed.



12. For every $1.00 annual savings in utility costs adds $20.00 to a home’s value.



13. Homes equipped with solar power systems sell 2 times faster than homes without solar power.



14. Most home solar electric systems pay for themselves within 4-5 years of use.



15. Federal, state and local solar electric system rebates and incentives can reduce the cost of your installation by as much as 50%!



16. In The USA demand for solar power has risen on average 30% every year for the last 15 years.



17. The USA is currently the 4th largest market for solar power in the world behind Germany, Spain, and Japan.



18. Although accounting for only 5% of the world’s population, it is estimated that US citizens consume over 25% of the world's energy.



19. Currently, solar power provides less than 1% of all energy needs in the USA.



20. In the USA, only approximately 10,000 homes are currently powered entirely by solar energy.



21. According to the US dept. of Energy, the solar energy resource in a 100-mile-square area of Nevada could supply the United States with all its electricity.



22. According to the US dept. of Energy, The cost of producing PV modules, (solar cells) in constant dollars, has fallen from as much as $50 per peak watt in 1980 to as little as $5 per peak watt today.



23. According to the US dept. of Energy, The U.S.-based Photovoltaic industry is approaching $1 billion per year and is expected to grow to the $10-$15 billion level in the next 20 years.



24. California is the currently the leading solar power state in the USA in terms of solar system installations and solar power generation.



25. In just one hour, the earth receives more energy from the sun than the entire world uses during a whole year.