Solar energy

Solar energy is the energy that is in sunlight. As well as its traditional human uses in heating, cooking, and drying, it is harnessed today as renewable energy using a range of ever-evolving technologies such as solar heating, photovoltaics, solar thermal energy, solar architecture, molten salt power plants and artificial photosynthesis.

The solar energy received by the Earth in just one hour delivers enough energy to power the world's energy demands for a year.

The Sun by By Jessie Eastland 

Socrates suggested a passive solar design for Ancient Greek houses. Roofs were angled north and all openings faced south. Houses remained cool during summer since the roof provided shade, and warm during winter since the roof deflected cold north winds and sunlight entered through the south openings.

Arab alchemists used solar distillation in the 16th century to make unpure water drinkable.

Swiss scientist Horace de Saussure is credited with inventing the first solar energy collector, or 'hot box', in 1767.

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Solar House #1, built in 1939 in the U.S., used seasonal thermal energy storage for year-round heating.

MIT's Solar House #1

Estimates suggest that around 1.2% of the Sahara Desert's solar energy potential would be enough to meet the world's entire energy needs. The Sahara receives incredible amounts of sunlight, making it a prime location for solar energy collection.  While covering a vast area, studies indicate that a relatively small portion of the desert would be sufficient to generate enough clean energy for the entire planet.

There are some challenges to consider with this large-scale project, such as efficiently transporting the captured energy to populated areas. However, technological advancements and international collaboration are making this concept more feasible all the time.

The White House had solar heating panels back in 1979.

About 500,000 solar panels are installed each day worldwide..

In 1981, the Solar Challenger became the first entirely solar-powered aircraft to fly across the English Channel.

On July 26, 2016, Solar Impulse 2 achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first solar-powered aircraft to complete a circumnavigation of the Earth. The journey took approximately 16 months to complete.

Solar Impulse 2 was a groundbreaking aircraft designed to be powered entirely by solar energy. It embarked on its epic journey in March 2015 from Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, and made stops in various locations around the world, including India, China, the United States, Spain, and Egypt, among others. The aircraft's flight path allowed it to cross both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, covering a total distance of over 26,000 miles (42,000 kilometers) during its remarkable journey.

Solar Impulse 2 at the Payerne Air Base in November 2014

The US solar industry employs twice the amount of workers than that of coal, oil, and natural gas combined.

The Kentucky Coal Mining Museum is powered by solar energy.

A solar plant in the Mojave Desert generates so much heat it incinerates birds in mid flight.

Steve Comisar of Beverly Hills, California ran ads in the national magazines offering a "Solar Powered Clothes Dryer" for only $49.95. His devices were described as “Uses no batteries or electricity” with “Free Shipping”. The National Enquirer was a favorite publication for his ads.
Unsuspecting customers would receive a length of clothesline.

California generates so much solar energy that it has to pay other states to take the excess so their power lines don't overload.

The tiny South Pacific island country of Tokelau’s electricity is generated entirely by solar power. However, when it is overcast outside, the island runs on generators powered by coconut oil.

Source Daily Mail