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)

Solar technology that directly converts sunlight into electricity is called solar photovoltaic (PV) technology. PV produces direct current electricity, which can be used on-site, stored or converted to alternating current for long-distance transmission. Read More

Solar Heating and Cooling

Solar heating and cooling technologies capture the sun's heat to provide energy for water heating, pool heating, space heating and cooling. The technology can be used for residential, commercial, and industrial use. Read More

Concentrating Solar Power

Using reflective materials, like mirrors and lenses, concentrating solar power systems concentrate the sun's heat to generate electricity. Often, concentrating solar power plants are built at utility-scale providing hundreds of megawatts per plant. Read More

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. Read More

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. Read More

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. Read More