There's plenty of talk about solar energy these days and plenty of coverage in the media, but how many people know much, if anything, about solar energy.

Fortunately, more information is becoming available through conferences, seminars, news items, etc., and people can educate themselves via the internet if they're willing to make the effort.

In the meantime, here are some interesting facts on solar energy that may give you food for thought.

- The sun provides more power in one day than the entire human race uses in a whole year.

- Solar electricity is generated from the light of the sun, not the heat. Solar panels consist of a series of solar cells, and the solar cells work on the photovoltaic effect, in which sunlight reacts with certain materials, in this case silicon, to generate an electrical charge.

- A group of panels is known as an array.

- Electricity generated by solar panels is direct current (DC). Homes connected to the grid use alternating current (AC), so solar electricity must be converted from DC to AC before it can be used in homes.

- Since solar panels are modular, a homeowner living on the grid can choose to start with a small system, supplying only a percentage of the electricity they need, and later add panels to increase the amount of electricity coming from solar.

- Net metering allows homeowners connected to the grid to feed solar electricity into the grid when not needed for withdrawal later, a bit like having an energy bank. The utility will pay for any unused electricity.

- Solar panels are very durable and carry warranties of up to 25 years.

- Solar panels are very sensitive, and any kind of shading from buildings or the overhanging branches of trees can seriously reduce the efficiency of the panels.

- If you live in the Northern Hemisphere, PV (photovoltaic) panels should ideally be placed facing south to make the most of the available sunlight; in the Southern Hemisphere, the reverse is true.

- PV panels generate electricity even in cloudy conditions, even though the rate of production is reduced.

- If you live in a remote location several miles from the nearest utility, it can cost up to $20 per foot to run power out to your location, so going solar would probably be a cheaper option, especially in the long-term.

- Off-grid systems need batteries to provide power at night and during cloudy days; batteries are optional for on-grid owners, who may decide to add them in case of blackouts or for emergencies.

For people interested in investing in solar energy, it's very important to get the facts ahead of time so they go into it with their eyes wide open and equipped to make an informed decision. Here are some interesting facts on solar energy to get you started.

Get all the information and facts you need about going solar, along with a FREE report by clicking on the only solar power resource you'll need. Ray Boreham suggests you'll find a wealth of information and tips on solar and renewable energy at http://www.all-you-need-is-solar.com/.