If we take into account the fact that energy from resources such as coal, oil and natural gas are limited, in addition to producing large amounts of pollutants, we will come to the simple conclusion that renewable energies are the present and the future.
Without a doubt, our preferred renewable energy source is solar; It is free, it is unlimited, it is present practically everywhere, it does not pollute and even the necessary equipment to take advantage of this type of energy is becoming more affordable.
It is a fact, having photovoltaic panels is an excellent option to save money and contribute to the environment, but how much do you know about this energy source? You know what they say: "information is power", so here we present the 12 most interesting facts of photovoltaic energy.
1. There is nothing faster than light in the entire universe.
According to Albert Einstein in his theory of general relativity, light travels at the incredible constant speed of 299,792,458 meters per second.
Even astronomers, after analyzing the rotation speed of 5 supermassive black holes, have concluded that they barely achieved a speed equivalent to 70% of the speed of light. Although theoretical physicist Jim Al Khalili has proposed that, if there are other universes, in some of them it would be likely that the maximum speed is different.
2. The particle that composes light is called photon and its weight is 0.
Light is the fabric between space and time, and has no mass. This explains why nothing can exceed its speed.
3. Photons are particles, but they also have the ability to behave like waves.
They behave as if they were sea waves that propagate in all directions, and this can be observed in phenomena such as refraction, but since they are particles they can also interact with matter and even transfer energy in any of the forms of electromagnetic radiation, including gamma rays, x-rays, ultraviolet light, visible light, infrared light, microwaves and radio waves.
4. It takes about 1 million years for a photon to leave the sun's core to its surface, but it only takes 8 minutes to reach the surface of the earth from that point.
Once it begins its journey from the nucleus, the photon crosses its path with any number of electrons, and when they are very close, the photon undergoes a random dispersion that sends it in any possible direction. Taking into account the amount of free electrons in the sun, a photon can deviate millions of times before reaching its target: the surface of the sun.
5. Albert Einstein won his first Nobel Prize in physics for the photoelectric effect, the basis of photovoltaic generation.
In 1905, Einstein was able to explain the photoelectric effect. He assumed that electromagnetic radiation is made up of energy packets, and that energy depends on the frequency of light. However, only until 1922 it was announced that the 1921 Nobel Prize in Physics would be awarded to Einstein.
6. If all the solar energy that reaches the earth could be captured for one hour, the total energy demand of the planet could be met for one year.
That's right, not only is it a source of clean energy, but it also has the ability to broadly cover our energy needs.
7. The first practical use of solar energy systems was to electrically power space satellites.
The USSR launched its first space satellite in 1957, and the US a year later on February 1, 1958. The systems could be kept in operation thanks to solar energy.
8. China owns 95% of the rare earth mines in the world, vital components for the manufacture of solar panels.
The so-called "rare earths" are a group of 17 metals with unique properties, largely used in the innovation and high technology industry.
9. Throughout its useful life, a solar panel prevents the emission of 100 tons of CO2.
A solar panel has a lifespan of 20-25 years. After that period of time, they continue to work, but their productivity decreases.
10. Colombia has highly favorable solar radiation indicators to implement photovoltaic solar projects.
Regions like La Guajira have 8.3 hours of radiation per day, which represents a high potential. Even Bogotá, which has 4.8 hours of radiation per day, is enough potential to take advantage of in the industrial sector.
11. The amount of solar energy that is converted into electrical energy through a photovoltaic solar panel is usually between 15% and 18%.
However, there are panels with 46% efficiencies and they are used in NASA ships or satellites. However, this does not mean that in the future, companies won’t make use of technology with such efficiency or even greater.
12. At Enel Group Colombia we developed the largest solar energy project in Bogotá’s industrial sector and the largest solar park in the country.
We installed 1,080 solar panels on the roof of the Comestibles Italo factory, achieving a capacity to generate 490 MWh of energy per year, and in the department of Cesar we recently inaugurated the El Paso solar park, with an installed capacity of 86.2 MW.
If you too want to take advantage of our country’s favorable conditions to produce photovoltaic energy, at Enel X we can provide you with personalized advice and support so that your implementation also becomes a success story.
