Solar energy doesn’t work. This is one of the most common misconceptions we hear about photovoltaic (PV) technology.
It’s an absurd myth that we thoroughly enjoyed dispelling in one of our previous articles. If you don’t have time to read that article, we encourage you to look at the tens of thousands of new solar installations that go up every year – all over the country.
Alternatively, you can head over to the closest middle school and ask what the students think. It turns out that even 6th, 7th, and 8th graders in San Diego already understand how powerful solar energy truly is.
We are, of course, referring to the Junior Solar Sprint – an annual competition in which San Diego students harness clean sunshine to race model cars. The most recent Sprint was the 5th time the event has attracted some of the best and brightest throughout the County.
This year’s competition attracted more than 85 student entries. And the winning car completed a 20m track in an impressive 8.32 seconds. Congratulations to High Tech Middle School North County for your record-breaking finish.
Why Does this San Diego Solar Car Race Even Matter?
These students weren’t powering appliances or family homes. They were simply racing tiny model cars on a relatively small track.
However, keep in mind that these were students. And they weren’t using huge solar panels – they were using single PV cells to propel miniaturized motors.
When you go from tiny PV cells to a larger 5 kW solar installation, it’s not difficult to understand how powerful the technology really is. Solar is great for middle school races. But it’s even better when you harness the technology to produce clean and free electricity that:
- Reduces your monthly utility bill to $0 (sometimes even negative)
- Reduces your carbon footprint (i.e. fewer CO2 emissions)
If 13-year-old students can appreciate solar’s awesome potential, why does this “myth” about photovoltaic technology still persist?
We honestly don’t know. You can already see PV panels on rooftops, highway signs, satellites, handheld calculators, and everything in between. And now, even kids have begun harnessing the sun’s unlimited energy to do some pretty impressive things.
Discover What San Diego Solar Students Already Know
Solar does work. And it works fantastically well. We’re talking about clean, free, and unlimited energy to cover all of our needs. There’s even enough solar potential in San Diego to power our cars and factories. In fact, 40% of electronic vehicle (EV) owners throughout California charge their cars with solar panels instead of grid electricity (which relies on fossil fuel).
Want to learn more about transitioning to a truly sun-powered lifestyle?
We are here to help. We’d love to show you how affordable and easy the process can be. You’ll enjoy higher monthly savings, cleaner air, and even better health once you go solar.
Don’t believe us? Put us to the test and request a free solar quote today. You pay absolutely nothing to begin exploring your solar options.
