The sun is ancient and has been a source of power for a planet for a long time, however we have only just started realising its potential over the last few years. If you are interested in learning about solar power but do not know where to start, all you have to do is equip yourself with a few solar power facts and you will be good to go. The suns useful properties have been used for centuries as a source of heat and light. One of the most notable people in history to work with the suns energy was John Herschel. When on an expedition to Africa he used solar energy in order to cook his food. This was done by using a solar collector box. However the concept has been around since the time of the Greeks who positioned their buildings in order to get the maximum amount of heat and light. Today, there are more than ten thousand homes in America that use solar power entirely to power their homes.
The key to understanding how the suns energy works is through its rays. The sun is such a powerful energy source that it would only take one hours worth of light in order to power our globe, this means that although advances are happening all the time in solar power we are far from realising everything it can do for us.Although coal is one of the most traditional ways we use to power our homes, to get the same amount of photovoltaic cells from coal as you would from sand you would need 500 000 tonnes more!
Another famous historical figure who contributed to the development of solar power was Albert Einstein. In 1921 his work was recognised and he was awarded the prestigious Nobel prize. This was in relation to that famous formula everyone remembers him for, E=MC². It is because of global warming and the greenhouse effect that people are becoming more conscience of our impact on the planet which is why more and more people are turning to the renewable source that is the sun. Solar power has no become a viable option for powering our homes and businesses and does not harm the environment. In 1982 the state of California opened one of the very first solar power plants.
Solar power can be a baffling subject, especially if you dont know where to start, there is a lot of information on the subject and not all of it will be relevant. If you find some easy to learn and remember solar power facts then you should be on your way to learning more and finding an interest in the subject. Dont get bogged down in reams of information that isnt going to be of any use to you. Take it step by step and soon enough you will want to convert your whole home to be compliant with renewable energy and solar power. Just remember your solar power facts and you will be fine.

Author's Bio: 

The author of this article has a wealth of experience in this area but also understands the importance of learning being fun and not overwhelming people with information which is why he has stressed the need for solar power facts instead of long pages of information that will easily be forgotten.