Back to: Solar Energy – Solar Technology and Its Use Worldwide
Solar energy is clean and renewable and there are many ways to use it. Solar energy can be:
- Converted to electricity
- Used for lighting
- Used for heating
- Used for cooling
Solar energy technologies include
Photovoltaics (PV)
PV systems convert solar radiation into electricity. PV systems can take the form of panels or building materials. PV can be used in cold climates, have no “essential” moving parts, uses very little water, and are well suited for urban areas.
Concentrating Solar Power (CSP)
CSP plants function via mirrors that focus the suns energy to harness heat that can either be used directly or to generate electricity. This type of technology has been generating power in desert areas of the Western USA for decades.
Solar Water Heaters
These rooftop collectors can capture solar energy and produce hot water. They are very efficient, capturing up to 87 percent of the solar energy that reaches them.
Active Solar Space Heating and Cooling
Collectors like those used for heating water can also be used to heat air, replacing furnaces and boilers. These systems can generate 50 percent or more of the energy needed to heat a building.
Passive Solar Design
This refers to the design of homes and buildings that take advantage of natural sunlight to provide heat, light, and so on.
