In recent years, an increasing number of homeowners and businesses alike are turning to solar panels to power their homes and properties.
However, there’s still plenty of solar panel information and facts most people don’t know. In this article, we run through 13 of the most surprising facts about solar panels: some fun, some genuinely useful things to know about solar panels before you consider installing your own.
If you’re ready to explore your own options, you can find a quote for solar panel installers at any point.
1. Solar panels are not a new idea
Solar panels may seem like modern technology, but the first commercially viable photovoltaic cell was invented in 1954 by Bell Labs. It was made of silicon and had an efficiency of just 6%.
Humans have theoretically been using passive solar energy for thousands of years, though. The ancient Greeks and Romans used direct heat radiating from the sun to warm their bathhouses.
2. They are commonly made from silicon
The majority of solar panels used today are made mainly from silicon. Silicon is ideal for manufacturing solar panels, as it’s a widely available material: the second most abundant element on Earth, in fact, and one of the primary components of ordinary beach sand.
Around 95% of solar panels in use today are made from silicon.
3. Solar panels work in all types of weather
Contrary to popular belief, solar panels can actually work in any weather or climate: a particularly useful thing to know about solar panels if you’re weighing them up for a UK home.
Although they’re most efficient in direct sunlight, solar panels are still able to generate energy on cloudy days or during the winter, typically producing up to around 25% of their normal output even under overcast skies.
Don’t let British weather put you off considering solar energy for your property.
4. Solar energy is the most abundant on Earth
Did you know that just one hour of solar energy that radiates to Earth is enough to power all of our energy requirements for an entire year? Because solar energy relies on the Sun’s heat and light radiation to generate power, it’s a resource we can rely on to power our homes for as long as the Sun keeps shining.
5. China leads the world in solar energy
Not what you were expecting? China has been installing new solar capacity faster than anywhere else in the world for several years running: in 2025 alone, it added more new solar capacity than the rest of the world combined, and it now holds by far the largest total installed solar capacity of any country, as part of its push towards carbon neutrality by 2060.
6. Solar energy systems can also heat water
As well as generating electricity, some solar systems, known as solar thermal, rather than solar PV, can heat your water too.
These systems convert sunlight into heat via a thermal collector, typically warming stored water to around 55-60°C, and can meet up to 70% of a household’s annual hot water needs, sometimes covering the full amount during summer months.
7. Solar panels don’t have to be installed on your roof
Despite what you might think, solar panels don’t need to go on your roof. Many people choose freestanding solar panels in their garden or on the side of their property instead.
The best position for your panels depends on which direction your property faces, how much sunlight your area gets, and whether nearby trees or buildings cast any shade.
8. They require very little maintenance
Solar panels have no recurring costs once installed, and they require little to no maintenance during their lifetime.
You may occasionally need to clean them to remove dirt and debris so they keep working effectively, no wonder they’ve become so popular with homeowners.
9. Solar panels can last 25-30 years
One of the main reasons solar panels have become so popular is their long lifespan. The average solar panel carries a standard warranty of at least 25 years, however with proper installation and care solar panels can last up to 30 or 40 years.
Our guide on how long solar panels take to pay for themselves has more detail on what that means for your return on investment.
10. Solar panels are becoming more efficient every year
With solar technology advancing constantly, it’s no surprise that solar panels are becoming increasingly efficient at converting sunlight into renewable energy.
Most standard solar panels convert somewhere between 15% and 20% of absorbed sunlight into electricity, though premium panels on the market today can now exceed 22%, and that figure is likely to keep climbing.
11. They can be used in remote locations
Solar panels aren’t just for your home. They’re an excellent source of renewable power for properties in remote locations too, such as farms, cabins, caravans, and even boats.
Because solar panels harness the sun’s light and heat to produce electricity, you can be almost anywhere on the planet and still benefit from solar energy.
12. You can recycle solar panels
The benefits of solar panels don’t stop when you remove them from your property.
Once they’ve reached the end of their lifespan, silicon and thin-film solar panels can be recycled, with the glass and semiconductor elements reused to help manufacture new panels.
13. Solar panels can power cars and planes
The development of solar technology has extended well beyond powering homes. The first solar-powered family car, Stella, was built in 2013 by a student team at Eindhoven University of Technology, with several car manufacturers now developing their own solar vehicles.
It’s not just cars, either, in 2016, the Solar Impulse II became the first solar-powered aircraft to complete a round-the-world flight using only solar energy. With that kind of success, it wouldn’t be surprising to see solar power play a much bigger role across transport in the years ahead, from more solar-assisted vehicles to further experimental aircraft.
Getting Started With Solar
Solar panels are a sustainable and cost-effective energy source that offers real benefits to homeowners and businesses alike.
If you decide to go ahead, remember to sort out the necessary permits and prepare your property for installation. It’s also worth reading our guide on which solar panels are best for your home before you compare quotes.
Always get a solar panel quote from at least three MCS-accredited installers, to make sure you get a supplier who is fully qualified to do the work and will offer the best price.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some surprising facts about solar panels?
A few of the most surprising: just one hour of sunlight hitting the Earth carries enough energy to power the whole world for a year, solar panels still generate roughly 25% of their normal output on cloudy days, and the technology behind them dates all the way back to a 1954 Bell Labs invention that was only 6% efficient.
How efficient are modern solar panels?
Most standard solar panels on the market today convert between 15% and 20% of the sunlight they absorb into electricity, with premium panels now capable of exceeding 22%. Efficiency has been improving steadily as the technology develops.
Do solar panels work on cloudy days in the UK?
Yes. Solar panels don’t need direct, unbroken sunlight to work, they still generate power on cloudy days, typically producing around 25% of their normal output, which makes them a genuinely viable option even in the UK’s changeable weather.
How long do solar panels actually last?
Most solar panels come with a standard warranty of at least 25 years, and with proper installation and care, many will keep performing well for 30 to 40 years.
Can solar panels generate power at night?
No, standard solar panels need daylight to generate electricity, so they don’t produce power after dark. Many homeowners get around this by pairing their system with a battery, which stores excess electricity generated during the day for use in the evening or overnight.
What is one thing most people don’t know about solar panels?
That they don’t have to go on your roof at all. Freestanding solar panels, positioned in a garden or against the side of a property, are a genuine option, particularly useful if your roof isn’t well positioned for sunlight or has limited space.
