Why in News?
International Sun Day is in the news because of the global celebration on May 3, 2026, marking a year of historic milestones in renewable energy. In India, it was highlighted by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) celebrating the achievement of over 1,50,000 MW of solar capacity and the success of the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana.
History and Origin
- Founder: Proposed by Denis Hayes, the same environmental advocate who coordinated the first Earth Day in 1970.
- Establishment: First proclaimed by U.S. President Jimmy Carter on May 3, 1978, during an energy crisis to promote solar power research.
- International Status: It became a global event in 1994 when the European Section of the International Solar Energy Society (ISES) expanded the tradition.
- Purpose: Created to raise awareness about the ecological and economic benefits of solar energy as an inexhaustible, clean resource.
Key Information & Significance
- Health Benefits: Beyond energy, the day highlights the Sun as the primary source of Vitamin D, a regulator of circadian rhythms (sleep patterns), and a mood booster.
- Energy Security: Promotes the idea that solar power provides energy independence, as sunlight cannot be "embargoed" by any foreign nation.
- Sustainability: Solar energy is non-polluting and avoids the harmful carbon emissions associated with burning fossil fuels, which are major drivers of climate change.
- Economic Impact: The day showcases innovations like advancements in battery storage and cheaper solar panels, which are creating millions of "green jobs" globally.
Scientific Quick Facts
- Age & Distance: The Sun is a 4.6-billion-year-old star located approximately 93 million miles from Earth.
- Light Travel: It takes about 8 minutes and 20 seconds for sunlight to reach our planet.
- Core Temperature: The Sun's core reaches roughly 15 million degrees Celsius (27 million degrees Fahrenheit).
- Energy Source: It generates energy through nuclear fusion, converting hydrogen into helium.
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