Alternative energy solar power information

What are the different types of solar energy technologies?

There are two main types of solar energy technologies—photovoltaics (PV) and concentrating 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, energy from the sunlight is absorbed by the PV cells in the panel.

Is solar power renewable?

Solar power is renewable by nature. Sunlight is infinite, and enough solar radiation hits the planet's surface each hour to theoretically fill our global energy needs for nearly a year. No matter how much solar power we use to generate electricity, the sun will continue to shine. It doesn’t deplete.

Are photovoltaics a good energy source?

Click here to see information from the infographic above in a table. By far the most common solar energy technology, photovoltaics are an “additive” energy source that can be used on a single home’s rooftop or in a large farm producing thousands of megawatts of electricity—enough to power a midsize city.

Is solar power a viable alternative to fossil fuels?

Virtually nonpolluting and abundantly available, solar power stands in stark contrast to the combustion of fossil fuels (namely coal, petroleum, and natural gas) that are driving global warming and has become increasingly attractive to individuals, businesses, and governments on the path to sustainability.

What are the basics of solar energy technology?

Learn solar energy technology basics: solar radiation, photovoltaics (PV), concentrating solar-thermal power (CSP), grid integration, and soft costs.

Is solar energy a carbon-free energy source?

It is a “carbon-free” energy source that, once built, produces none of the greenhouse gas emissions that are driving climate change. There are several ways to turn sunlight into usable energy, but almost all solar energy today comes from “solar photovoltaics (PV).”