Solar energy use

Solar energy refers to energy that is collected from sunlight. Solar energy can be applied in many ways, including to:

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  - Generate electricity using photovoltaic solar cells.
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  - Generate electricity using concentrated solar power.
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  - Generate electricity by heating trapped air which rotates turbines in a Solar updraft tower.
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  - Heat buildings, directly, through passive solar design.
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  - Heat foodstuffs, through solar ovens.
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  - Heat water or air for domestic hot water and space heating needs using solar-thermal panels.
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  - Heat and cool air through use of solar chimneys.
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  - Generate electricity in geosynchronous orbit using solar power satellites.

Best and Biggest

• - The 11 megawatt PS10 solar power tower in Spain produces electricity from the sun using 624 large movable mirrors called heliostats.

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  - Construction of the largest solar thermal power plant to be built in 15 years, in Boulder City, Nevada, is nearly complete. The 64MW Nevada Solar One power plant will generate enough power to meet the electricity needs of about 40,000.

• - As part of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's Million Solar Roofs Program, California has set a goal to create 3,000 megawatts of new, solar-produced electricity by 2017 - moving the state toward a cleaner energy future and helping lower the cost of solar systems for consumers.

• - Australian company Solar Systems will demonstrate its unique, design incorporating space technology in a 154MW solar power station connected to the national grid. The power station will have the capability to concentrate the sun by 500 times onto the solar cells for ultra high power output.