10 Solar Power Facts

Clerissa Holm • September 2, 2024

Top 10 Strange Solar Power Facts You Would Never Guess 

So you thought solar power was a 21st-century invention?

 While we may have perfected solar technology in modern times, we were late to the party of discovery. The ancient Greeks and Romans used passive solar design for heating their homes, using south-facing windows to capture sunlight. Check out these pretty cool and bizarre facts about solar power—we bet you didn't know 

Top 10 Facts 

  1. Ancient Solar Use: The concept of using solar energy is not new. The ancient Greeks and Romans used passive solar design for heating their homes, using south-facing windows to capture sunlight. 
  2. Solar Power in Space: Most space missions rely on solar power. The International Space Station (ISS) uses solar panels to generate power, making it one of the largest solar-powered structures in space. 
  3. Solar-Powered Flights: In 2016, Solar Impulse 2, a solar-powered aeroplane, completed a round-the-world flight using only solar energy, demonstrating the potential of solar power in aviation. 
  4. Desert Solar Farms: The world’s largest solar farm, Bhadla Solar Park in India, spans over 14,000 acres in the Thar Desert, producing over 2,245 MW of power, enough to power millions of homes. 
  5. Artificial Photosynthesis: Scientists are developing technology to mimic natural photosynthesis, creating "solar fuels" by using sunlight to convert water and carbon dioxide into energy-rich compounds like hydrogen or methane. 
  6. Floating Solar Panels: To save land space, floating solar farms are being built on bodies of water. These “floatovoltaics” can reduce water evaporation and improve solar panel efficiency due to the cooling effect of water. 
  7. Transparent Solar Panels: Researchers are working on transparent solar panels that can be used as windows, allowing buildings to generate electricity while maintaining natural lighting. 
  8. Solar-Powered Roads: Some countries are experimenting with solar panels embedded in roads and sidewalks to generate power while withstanding the weight and wear of vehicles and pedestrians. 
  9. Solar Cells from Plants: Scientists have discovered a way to create solar cells from plant-based materials like spinach. These biohybrid solar cells harness the natural process of photosynthesis to generate electricity. 
  10. Power During Night: Researchers are developing technology that allows solar panels to generate electricity at night. These panels use a process called radiative cooling, where heat radiates from the panels back into the night sky, creating a temperature difference that can be converted into electricity.