It sounds unreal, but the reality of the 21st century is exactly this: planetary and space power stations, solar-powered aircraft, bridges, and hotels become real. This is possible by an important source of world energy - the Sun. Experts believe that to meet the needs of the Earth's energy sector, only 0.0125% of the solar energy supplied to our planet is enough.
A vivid example of the use of solar energy can be called the Swiss project Solar Impulse 2 - the only solar-powered aircraft in the world. In early July of 2015, this aircraft broke the world record for the flight time without refueling. As you can see, it's time to use solar energy in various industries, including construction, space and aviation. Buildings, bridges, trains, and aircraft operating from solar panels have long been created.
We can give one more example of the use of solar energy. The Blackfriars Bridge, located in London, has a solar roof and is equipped with 4400 Panasonic HIT photoelectric panels with a capacity of 250 watts each.
It is also worth mentioning the company Apple, which started the construction of small hydroelectric power plants in Prineville (Oregon) and a solar power plant in Yerington (Nevada). In China, the company has already built a power plant that is powered by the energy of the Sun. The baton in this issue was picked up by Japan. There, on the lakes of Nishihara and Higashihara, two giant floating solar power stations are built, the capacity of which reaches 3,300 megawatt/hours of energy per year.
Solar energy can be successfully used in space. For example, cosmic energy converted into electricity was used to power LED lights on Earth. Electricity from space power plants is also quite suitable for recharging cars. Many vehicles in the West are partially fueled by the energy of the sun. This is an excellent alternative to gasoline, polluting the atmosphere, since such "fuel" is times more efficient and cleaner.
Economic inequality remains one of the most pressing issues in today's world. To measure the gap between the rich and the poor in each country, the Gini index is used. This coefficient reflects how income is distributed within a society: the closer the index is to 100, the greater the inequality. Let's explore which countries currently have the highest Gini index values
This year has been pivotal for Bitcoin, the world's leading cryptocurrency. One of the key milestones was the approval of Bitcoin spot ETFs by the US Securities and Exchange Commission. In April 2024, Bitcoin also experienced a halving event, which is typically seen as a positive development for the digital asset. This year, the cryptocurrency is up 57%, and analysts remain optimistic about its future. However, they highlight four key factors that could influence Bitcoin's trajectory, both for better and for worse
Analytical periodical US News and World Report has presented its ranking of the best countries in the world in terms of quality of life, based on a survey of nearly 17,000 people. The list considers factors such as economic and political stability, a strong labor market, income equality, family-friendliness, safety, the quality of education, and healthcare systems. Let's find out which countries made it to the top of this list.
