Over the years the interest in alternative energy has grown, especially as the cost of powering and heating our homes has increased dramatically. Research on the benefits of renewable, clean alternative energy sources such as solar energy, wind and hydropower as well as other energies has opened our eyes to the possibility of converting our need for damaging fossil fuels to cleaner resources.

Using solar energy to replace fossil fuels was initially explored as far back as the 1860s. However at that time most people thought that the earth’s abundance of fossil fuels meant that alternative energy was unneeded. In 1973 and 1979, during the oil crisis, interest in solar energy was renewed, but as the crisis passed and oil prices declined interest again waned. In the last decade we have come to the definite realization that at our current rate of consumption we are going to run out of fossil fuels within our lifetime, or that of our children, and exploring alternative energy is at an all-time high.

Even if you are not currently interested in alternative energy, it is good to keep in mind the following facts about solar energy, should you ever decide to abandon your dependence on oil and gas:

Solar energy is produced by the sun, and reaches the earth through the sun’s rays
This energy arrives to the earth as both sun and heat
Solar energy harnesses the heat and light from the sun and converts it into useable electricity
Solar energy can be used in place of regular electricity

Here are some interesting tidbits about the use of solar energy:

Solar thermal technology makes use of the sun’s heat to create electricity
Photovoltaic or PV technology converts the light of the sun into electricity
Solar thermal technology can also create electricity by producing steam to power generators
Solar energy is completely clean, creating no emissions

Finally, here is the one most interesting fact about solar energy:

In one hour the earth receives more energy from the sun than the whole world uses in an entire year. Makes you think, huh?