About Solar Power
Solar power is the use of our Sun's energy to provide light, heat and electricity. Though solar power in one form or another has been in use by human civilization for centuries, recent increases in prices of fossil fuels and advances in solar power technology, have made solar power an increasingly attractive option for providing our energy needs.
Solar Power Technologies
Photovoltaics
Photovoltaic solar cells convert sunlight to electricity. A photovoltaic cell consists of a semiconducting material that absorbs sunlight. Solar energy dislodges electrons from their atoms thereby allowing the electrons to flow through the semiconducting material and produce electricity.
For more information about photovoltaics and photovoltaic cells, use the following links to the U.S. Department of Energy website about solar power and solar energy:
Solar Energy Topics
An overview of solar technologies
Photovoltaics
An overview of photovoltaics
