Solar Energy 101: How It Works and Its History

In just 90 minutes, enough sunlight strikes the Earth to power the entire world for a year. Yet, in 2023, solar energy made up only 5% of the electricity generated in the United States. With solar panels on rooftops and fields around the globe, why are we only using a small fraction of the sun’s vast energy potential?

Today, we dive into the fascinating world of solar energy—from the science behind photovoltaic cells to the history of solar innovation. We'll explore how sunlight is converted into electricity, tracing the evolution of solar power from ancient civilizations to NASA’s space missions and beyond.

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CREDITS:

Script Writer:
August Moon

Collaborator:
Teddy Burkhardt

Video Editor:
Nick Pane

Voiceover:
August Moon

#solarenergy #solarenergyexplained #renewableenergy #1440

[senatorjosephmccarthy]

At the time of this writing, every one of the comments is against this video in some way. 1440, why is that?

[RonReimer-th]

You didn't talk about manufacturing costs and how long a solar panel lasts before it must be discarded and replaced.

[benmordecai]

This isn't a very "deep dive." The presentation failed to explain the mining and milling processes required to produce the refined minerals used in the manufacture of photovoltaics. It also doesn't explain what additional equipment is essential to alter the DC current produced by solar panels to transfer the electricity to an AC dispatch-able power grid at 60 hertz. Since sunlight isn't available all of the time and everywhere, it also fails to delve into the storage battery liabilities associated with the use of solar energy.

[randyhendrix]

How do power companies that claim to be 100% solar provide electricity at night? If solar energy is stored in batteries, it would seem that it would take a massive array to provide energy for millions of customers..

[ripken]

so 1 more thing to cover our farm and wildlife landscape with

[robertgrant]

Elon says 100 mile x 100 mile solar panel array would generate enough power to power the whole country. BUT, the problem is batteries...storing that energy.

[FigureSkingGirl]

You also don't talk about how the houses who have the solar panels don't actually get to utilize all that solar - they are just collecting it and selling it back so it can be used elsewhere. Everything is always about $$ and not bettering the world. But, this is 1440,

[rogermoeller]

If solar is so great how come Tesla ( which used to make solar panels, but no longer does) does not use any solar panels at any of their factories?

[davidbyrd]

So, I guess the solar panels just grow on trees? Stupid article. Shame on you 1440 for the link.

[Eraadeh]

Not enjoying the narrator. Artificial.