While the sun generates enough energy to meet the world's energy needs many times over, the challenge is to capture that power for our use at reasonable cost. Today's solar energy technology converts the sun's light to electricity and absorbs its heat for heating and cooling systems. Large solar plants absorb the sun's heat to power steam turbines that produce electricity.

Solar Electric (Photovoltaic)

Photovoltaic (PV) systems use semiconductor materials that convert sunlight into electricity. PV produces direct current electricity that is converted via an inverter to produce alternating current or is stored in batteries...
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Solar Thermal

Solar collectors absorb the sun's energy to provide low-temperature heat used directly for hot water or space heating and cooling systems for residential or commercial buildings. Collectors can be flat panel or evacuated tubes...
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Concentrating Solar Power

Using reflective materials, like mirrored troughs, utility-scale systems concentrate the sun's heat to warm a synthetic liquid to temperatures over 500 degrees Farenheit. This fluid heats water that in turn powers steam turbines to produce electricty...
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Passive Solar

Architects and builders use special siting, design and materials to absorb the sun's heat that later is released to warm during cooler evening and nights. Passive solar also refers to directing sunlight to brighten interior spaces and positioning shading devices to protect from excessive heat...
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Solar Ovens

Solar ovens are a low-tech, low-cost option to heating and cooking food. Similar to a crockpot, solar ovens are essentially well insulated portable boxes that capture and hold the sun's heat...
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Emerging Technology

Research and development by companies and research labs are continually discovering new techniques and materials that improve efficiencies and cut the cost of capturing solar energy...
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