Did you know that more than 100 billion kilowatt hours of power were produced through solar energy in the U.S. in 2021? While that only represents a small portion of the U.S. energy consumption, it does show how solar energy has gone from the fringes to being a practical energy source.

Read on to learn more about the history of solar energy and why you should consider it.

History of Solar Energy

While civilizations have harnessed the power of solar energy for centuries, the invention of solar panels made modern solar energy practical. Several prominent scientists, including Albert Einstein, helped with their development over a few decades with the major breakthrough coming through the use of silicon in the 1950s.

Solar energy gained further traction through its use in the space program. In the 1960s, photovoltaic solar panels were featured on spacecraft for both the U.S. and Russian programs.

Spurred on by the oil crisis of the 1970s, solar energy use increased out of necessity. Solar panels became more affordable and they began to be used for energy savings on residential and commercial buildings. Finally, large scale solar farms began to emerge, increasing the visibility and scale of solar energy.

How Is Solar Energy Produced?

Solar energy production is directly related to how solar panels work. Modern-day panels use photovoltaic (PV) cells to capture energy from the sunlight. The energy captured causes electricity to flow.

While not as commonplace as PV cells, concentrating solar-thermal power (CSP) systems are used in large solar farms and plants. These systems use mirrors to reflect sunlight onto receivers that convert the energy into heat.

Benefits of Using Solar Energy

One of the benefits of solar energy is the tax credit that is offered through the government. As long as your system is installed that year and powers a home located in the U.S., you are eligible for this credit. As the credit is currently structured, systems installed in 2022 are eligible for a 26 percent credit, and those installed in 2023 are eligible for a 22 percent credit.

Solar panels are also an efficient purchase that earn a positive return on investment over time. While the timeline to earn back what you pay upfront varies, the energy produced by the panels circulates through your home's grid, eliminating the need to draw from local utilities. You are reducing the need for energy to be produced from less sustainable sources.

Installing Solar Panels

With the growth of solar energy, the number of companies offering solar panel installation for residential and commercial settings has grown. Some solar companies may offer their services with no upfront costs. These companies may often inspect your home to ensure that solar energy is a viable and effective option.

What Are You Waiting For?

Now that you know about the history of solar energy and the benefits associated with it, what are you waiting for? Solar energy has come from the fringe and outer space to be a practical energy saving option for you. You can also earn tax breaks and help reduce energy consumption.

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