How Does Solar Work?

Solar energy technologies have great potential to benefit our nation. They can diversify our energy supply, reduce our dependence on imported fuels, improve the quality of the air we breathe, offset greenhouse gas emissions, and stimulate our economy by creating jobs in the manufacturing and installation of solar energy systems.

Solar energy systems can be divided into several broad categories:

Concentrating Solar Power

CSP systems use reflective materials that concentrate the sun's heat energy to drive a generator that produces electricity.
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Photovoltaics

PV systems use semiconductor materials that convert sunlight directly to electricity.
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Solar Heating

Solar collectors absorb the sun's energy to provide low-temperature heat used directly for hot water or space heating for residential or commercial buildings.
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Solar Lighthing

Parabolic collectors focus sunlight into a fiber optic system to illuminate building interiors with sunlight.
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