How do we collect energy from the sun?

We use things called solar panels that collect the suns energy when the sun shines. When the sun rays shine on the panels, the energy is called direct current. Then the direct current is turned into an alternate current. This just means that the energy is moving in one direction. Once the energy is an alternate current, it can create electricity for your home!

Does solar energy cost money?

Solar energy doesn't cost anything, but the solar panels cost a lot to build. Each solar panel costs about $200! If you wanted to use solar panels on your house, it would take about 16 panels to make your house electricity work!

How much solar energy do we use?

Across the world, Germany has the most solar panels to use energy for electricity, but Spain uses about 65% of the world's solar energy for heating. The United States uses a lot of energy too. They come in fourth place. California and New Jersey both use a lot of energy in the USA. St. Paul, Minnesota takes about 1/4 of Minnesota's total energy.

Where do we keep the solar energy plants?

Some of the biggest solar plants can be found across the world in places like the Sahara Desert, Morocco, India, and China. The biggest solar plant in the United States can be found in San Luis Obispo County, California. Chisago County, Minnesota is the biggest solar plant in our state. Solar energy can be collected from our own homes too!