Solar electric energy is energy taken directly from the sun, producing electricity to sustain or supplement the energy consumption of a building. The energy from the sun drives the climate and weather, as well as supports virtually all life on Earth. The conversion of solar rays can be either done through the photovoltaic effect or by heating a transfer fluid to produce steam to run a generator.

Solar energy technologies such as heat and light from the sun, along with solar-based resources like wind and wave power, as well as hydroelectricity account for most of the available renewable sources of energy today. These technologies harness the sun’s energy and can date back to methods used by the early Greeks, Native Americans and Chinese.

There are two different categories of solar electric energy to consider, thermal and light. Thermal solar energy is more commonly used; it is where you passively heat buildings through the use of certain building material and certain architectural design. This energy is obtained from the sun and has a variety of purposes and applications including the production of hot water, space heating and cooling. Light is used as a passive solar energy system providing not only heat from the rays but natural light in confined areas.

When trying to capture the solar electric energy from the sun, there are four main ways to do so. The first is plate liquid filled solar panels for water heating, this is basically a metal box that is usually insulated and has a glass cover over a dark colored metal plate (this plate is typically copper or a cheaper form of aluminum). The plate then is warmed by the sun which it absorbs; the heat is then passed through to heat the hot water system. The second solar electric energy system is the flat plate gas filled solar panels for space heating, this system is similar to the previous but instead of water absorbing the heat it is air, and the heated air is then pumped into the building to heat the area. Although similar this way is not as efficient. The third solar energy system is the photovoltaic cells for electricity generation; it uses crystalline silicon solar cells to convert sunlight into electricity.

Lastly is passive solar heating photovoltaic also know as electrical solar energy, this is when the sun warms up an object and that object gives out heat once the sun has gone. This is a form of energy easy to use and benefit from in our homes; it’s as easy as how you position your home on the property.