Greetings to all my solar enthusiasts out there! It’s a wonderful day to dive into the absorbing world of solar energy, solar companies, and an update on the precise benefits of installing solar panels for your home.
Last year, we witnessed a record-setting phenomenon – 2023 was declared the sunniest year of the 21st century! Yes, you read that right. Recent analysis by Solcast brought out fascinating insights demonstrating that large regions globally experienced solar radiation exceeding long-term trends by 10% or more. These areas include Western and Northern Europe, Eurasia, a substantial part of China, Southern Australia, the Midwestern and Southern U.S., Central, and most of South America.
Now, you might be wondering: what does this mean for me, and why should I care? Well, here’s the catch – the sunnier the year, the better for your solar array at home! To simplify, abundant sunlight equals superior photovoltaic activity and, thereby, superior electrical output from your solar panels at home.
This sunlit news brings a broad smile to not only solar companies who thrive on optimal solar conditions but also homeowners willingness to make the solar switch. The increase in total solar irradiance couldn’t have come at a more fitting time – when the world is fighting harder than ever to mitigate climate change and encouraging the utilization of renewable energy, primarily solar power.
There’s a fun fact to consider – in 2023, our planet experienced a total solar irradiance approximately 0.5% above the long-term average. Although this seems like a small percentage, it equates to an increase of solar energy received by roughly 16,000 TJ! To give you a scope of how enormous that is, it’s enough energy to power millions of homes for a year!
Interestingly, in the U.S., despite some regions experiencing cloudier than average conditions, the significant areas of above-average irradiance in the Mid-West and South were beneficial for solar production. This turn of events was particularly favourable for Texas, leading to yet another record year for solar capacity installations and solar generation.
On those cloudy days, when you find your solar array at home generating less power than you’d prefer, remember that the overall trend is towards more abundant solar energy. As the sunniest year so far of this century, 2023 highlights the promising potential of solar power in the years to come.
So, for those of you considering partnering with a solar company to install solar panels for your home, these are the glowing signs you’ve been waiting for. Capitalizing on the solar trend not only makes economic sense but also aligns with the global push towards sustainable and renewable energy sources.
Isn’t it fascinating how our tremendous Sun continues to offer us more reasons to harness its abundant energy?
Remember to stay optimistic and energized about the potential of solar power, just as our sun remains a consistent beacon, burning brightly in the sky. Now is the time to go out, take the solar plunge, and bask in the benefits of this abundant clean energy source.
That’s it for now, but stay tuned for more enlightening updates from the exciting world of solar energy!
Original Article: https://pv-magazine-usa.com/2024/02/02/2023-delivers-best-year-this-century-for-irradiance/
