Myths About Solar Energy

Myths About Solar Energy

Myths About Solar Energy

MYTH #1: Solar powered devices do not work at night.

FACT: Many solar powered devices harness energy from the sun during the day to be used later at night.

MYTH #2: You cannot convert solar energy on a cloudy day.

FACT: Although not as effective as on a sunny day, producing 10-25% of its regular capacity, solar energy can still be converted on a cloudy day. Germany, which gets as much sunshine as the state of Alaska, is the world’s top solar panel installer, producing 31% of the world’s renewable energy.

MYTH #3: Solar powered lights are not bright.

FACT: As technology is improving, the quality of light from solar powered lights is also improving, so the concern over the brightness of light is no longer relevant. Many portable solar powered lights have the option to adjust brightness levels.

MYTH #4: Solar power is too expensive and unaffordable.

FACT: The price of solar power has been rapidly decreasing through the years, which is one of the reasons why over 60% of the United States’ solar panels were built in the past 3 years.

MYTH #5: Under extremely hot temperatures, PV cells can produce more electricity.

FACT: PV cells use sunlight and not heat to convert into electricity. So contrary to popular belief, higher temperatures actually lower the efficiency of PV cells.

How does Solar Power work?

There are different means of producing solar energy. The most common way is through PV cells, which are better known as the building blocks of solar panels, and are located on solar powered calculators, as well as WakaWaka products. PV cells are made up of semiconductor material such as silicon. When sunlight hits the PV cells, part of it gets absorbed into the semiconductor. The energy of the absorbed light loosens the electrons from the semiconductor atom, allowing them to move freely. The electric field(s) of the PV cells then force the electrons to move in a certain direction, creating an electrical current.

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