Count to 60. By the time you’re done, Earth will have soaked up a lot of sunlight. How much?
Enough to meet the world’s energy needs for a whole year! Sadly, very few people use this energy to power their homes or offices.
One problem is cost. Solar equipment makes power for about the same price as the electric company. But setting up solar panels and other gear can be complex. Costs start around $10,000. Weather is a problem, too. Cloudy or snowy days produce less solar power.
Even so, many people want to use solar energy. Unlike the Sun, energy sources like oil and coal cause pollution. And one day they’ll be gone.