The amount of sunlight that strikes the earth's surface in an hour and a half is enough to handle the entire world's energy consumption for a full year. 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.
Below, you can find resources and information onthe basics ofsolar radiation, photovoltaic and concentrating solar-thermal power technologies, electrical grid systems integration, and the non-hardware aspects (soft costs) of solar energy.You can also learn more about how to go solar andthe solar energy industry. In addition, you can dive deeper into solar energy and learn about howthe U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office is driving innovativeresearch and developmentin these areas.
Solar Energy 101
Solar radiation is light – also known as electromagnetic radiation – that is emitted by the sun. While every location on Earth receives some sunlight over a year, the amount of solar radiation that reaches any one spot on the Earth’s surface varies. Solar technologies capture this radiation and turn it into useful forms of energy.
Solar Radiation Basics
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There are two main types of solar energy technologies—photovoltaics(PV) andconcentrating solar-thermal power(CSP).
You're likely most familiar with PV, which is utilized in solar panels. When the sun shines onto a solar panel, energyfrom the sunlight isabsorbed by the PV cells in the panel. This energy creates electrical charges that move in response to an internal electrical field in the cell, causing electricity to flow.
Solar Photovoltaic Technology Basics Learn more
Solar Photovoltaic System Design Basics Learn more
PV Cells 101: A Primer on the Solar Photovoltaic Cell Learn more
Solar Performance and Efficiency Learn more
Concentrating solar-thermal power (CSP) systems use mirrors to reflect and concentrate sunlight onto receivers that collect solar energy and convert it to heat, which can then be used to produce electricity or stored for later use. It is used primarily in very large power plants.
Concentrating Solar-Thermal Power Basics Learn more
Thermal Storage System Concentrating Solar-Thermal Power Basics Learn more
Power Tower System Concentrating Solar-Thermal Power Basics Learn more
Linear Concentrator System Concentrating Solar-Thermal Power Basics Learn more
Solar energy technology doesn’t end with electricity generation by PV or CSP systems. These solar energy systems must be integrated into homes, businesses, and existing electrical grids with varying mixtures of traditional and other renewable energy sources.
Solar Systems Integration Basics Learn more
Solar Integration: Distributed Energy Resources and Microgrids Learn more
Solar Integration: Inverters and Grid Services Basics Learn more
Solar Integration: Solar Energy and Storage Basics Learn more
A number of non-hardware costs, known as soft costs, also impact the cost of solar energy. These costs include permitting, financing, and installing solar, as well as the expenses solar companies incur to acquire new customers, pay suppliers, and cover their bottom line. For rooftop solar energy systems, soft costs represent the largest share of total costs.
Solar Soft Costs Basics Learn more
Community Solar Basics Learn more
Connect the Dots: Innovations in Residential Solar Learn more
Solar Workforce Development Learn more
Solar energy can help to reduce the cost of electricity, contribute to a resilient electrical grid, create jobs and spur economic growth, generate back-up power for nighttime and outages when paired with storage, and operate at similar efficiency on both small and large scales.
Community Solar Basics Learn more
Farmer's Guide to Going Solar Learn more
Homeowner’s Guide to Going Solar Learn more
Solar Rooftop Potential Learn more
Solar Industry Basics
Solar energy systems come in all shapes and sizes. Residential systems are found on rooftops across the United States, and businesses are also opting to install solar panels. Utilities, too, are building large solar power plants to provide energy to all customers connected to the grid.
Quarterly Solar Industry Update Learn more
Solar Energy Resources for Job Seekers Learn more
Success Stories Learn more
Learn more about the innovative research the Solar Energy Technologies Officeis doing in these areas.
Photovoltaics
Concentrating Solar-Thermal Power
Systems Integration
Soft Costs
Manufacturing and Competitiveness
Solar Energy Research Database
In addition to this basic information about solar energy, you can find more solar energy information resources here.
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