Wherever you go these days, you see something about solar energy, on TV, the newspapers, magazines and many other mediums. Whether you’re talking about solar panels, solar gadgets, solar geysers or solar pool heaters – advertisers are increasingly trying to get our attention to renewable energy. But what’s the big deal? Is it really that effective?
Here are some facts to help you understand solar energy:
- Solar energy has loads of everyday applications, ranging from cheap & costly solar panels and battery systems for off the grid living, to something as simple as a solar cooker for cooking food efficiently.
- Solar energy is more affordable than you think. When you look at all the alternatives, solar energy becomes more and more viable every time energy prices go up – and it will be a while before energy prices start stabilizing. The average cost to buy a solar geyser can be justified in electricity savings in around three years
- The sun is the most renewable energy source known to us. Every minute enough solar power arrives at the earth’s surface to provide all our energy needs for a full year – if we were to be able to capture and store it. The interesting part is that only one hundredth of a millionth of a percent of the sun’s energy reaches the earth’s surface!
- South Africa has a lot of sunshine and is one of the sunniest places in the world. When you look at the solar world map, three regions stand out in the brightest red: Southern Africa , North Australia and North Africa.
- Going solar is not just about caring for the environment. There are now good financial incentives offered to people upgrading their homes with solar geysers and solar panels.
