There are two main types of solar energy technologies—photovoltaics (PV) and concentrating solar-thermal power (CSP). On this page you’ll find resources to learn what solar energy is; how you, your business, or your community can go solar; and find resources for every step of the way.
Solar energy is radiation from the Sun that is capable of producing heat, causing chemical reactions, or generating electricity. The total amount of solar energy incident on Earth is vastly in excess of the world’s energy requirements and could satisfy all future energy needs if suitably harnessed.
Solar power, also known as solar electricity, is the conversion of energy from sunlight into electricity, either directly using photovoltaics (PV) or indirectly using concentrated solar power.
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Solar power works by converting sunlight into electricity through the photovoltaic (PV) effect. The PV effect is when photons from the sun’s rays knock electrons from their atomic orbit and channel them into an electrical current.
Solar technologies convert sunlight into electrical energy either through photovoltaic (PV) panels or through mirrors that concentrate solar radiation. This energy can be used to generate electricity or be stored in batteries or thermal storage.