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Solar Energy Basics
Sunlightthrough photovoltaic technologyprovides this building at Oberlin College with electricity.
The sun's heat and light provide an abundant source of energy that can be harnessed in many ways. There are a variety of technologies that have been developed to take advantage of solar energy. These include concentrating solar power systems, passive solar heating and daylighting, photovoltaic systems, solar hot water, and solar process heat and space heating and cooling.
Solar power can be used in both large-scale applications and in smaller systems for the home. Businesses and industry can diversify their energy sources, improve efficiency, and save money by choosing solar technologies for heating and cooling, industrial processes, electricity, and water heating. Homeowners can also use solar technologies for heating and cooling and water heating, and may even be able to produce enough electricity to operate "off-grid" or to sell the extra electricity to the utilities, depending on local programs. The use of passive solar heating and daylighting design strategies can help both homes and commercial buildings operate more efficiently and make them more pleasant and comfortable places in which to live and work.
Other Resources
Solar Energy Technologies Program
DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Small Solar Electric Systems
EERE Consumer's Guide to Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Solar Water Heaters
EERE Consumer's Guide to Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Passive Solar Home Design
EERE Consumer's Guide to Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Beyond these localized uses of solar power, utilities and power plants are also taking advantage of the sun's abundant energy resource and offering the benefits to their customers. Concentrating solar power systems allow power plants to produce electricity from the sun on a larger scale, which in turn allows consumers to take advantage of solar power without making the investment in personal solar technology systems.
Solar power technologies, from individual home systems to large-scale concentrating solar power systems, have the potential to help meet growing energy needs and provide diversity and reliability in energy supplies.
View this short video from the U.S. Department of Energy to learn more about how solar panels work.
NREL performs research to develop and advance all of these technologies:
- Concentrating solar power systems Using the sun's heat to produce electricity.
- Passive solar heating and daylighting Using solar energy to heat and light buildings.
- Photovoltaic (solar cell) systems Producing electricity directly from sunlight.
- Solar hot water Heating water with solar energy.
- Solar process heat and space heating and cooling Industrial and commercial uses of the sun's heat.
Solar Energy Basics
Sunlightthrough photovoltaic technologyprovides this building at Oberlin College with electricity.
The sun's heat and light provide an abundant source of energy that can be harnessed in many ways. There are a variety of technologies that have been developed to take advantage of solar energy. These include concentrating solar power systems, passive solar heating and daylighting, photovoltaic systems, solar hot water, and solar process heat and space heating and cooling.
Solar power can be used in both large-scale applications and in smaller systems for the home. Businesses and industry can diversify their energy sources, improve efficiency, and save money by choosing solar technologies for heating and cooling, industrial processes, electricity, and water heating. Homeowners can also use solar technologies for heating and cooling and water heating, and may even be able to produce enough electricity to operate "off-grid" or to sell the extra electricity to the utilities, depending on local programs. The use of passive solar heating and daylighting design strategies can help both homes and commercial buildings operate more efficiently and make them more pleasant and comfortable places in which to live and work.
Other Resources
Solar Energy Technologies Program
DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Small Solar Electric Systems
EERE Consumer's Guide to Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Solar Water Heaters
EERE Consumer's Guide to Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Passive Solar Home Design
EERE Consumer's Guide to Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Beyond these localized uses of solar power, utilities and power plants are also taking advantage of the sun's abundant energy resource and offering the benefits to their customers. Concentrating solar power systems allow power plants to produce electricity from the sun on a larger scale, which in turn allows consumers to take advantage of solar power without making the investment in personal solar technology systems.
Solar power technologies, from individual home systems to large-scale concentrating solar power systems, have the potential to help meet growing energy needs and provide diversity and reliability in energy supplies.
View this short video from the U.S. Department of Energy to learn more about how solar panels work.NREL performs research to develop and advance all of these technologies:
- Concentrating solar power systems Using the sun's heat to produce electricity.
- Passive solar heating and daylighting Using solar energy to heat and light buildings.
- Photovoltaic (solar cell) systems Producing electricity directly from sunlight.
- Solar hot water Heating water with solar energy.
- Solar process heat and space heating and cooling Industrial and commercial uses of the sun's heat.
