How does solar energy work? Solar power converts sunlight into electricity, either directly using photovoltaics (PV), or indirectly using concentrated solar power (CSP). Concentrated solar power systems use lenses or mirrors and tracking systems to focus a large area of sunlight into a small beam. Photovoltaic cells convert light into an electric current using the photovoltaic effect.

A single PV cell has enough power to run small electrical equipment such as calculators, and can be combined in arrays with thousands of other cells to produce more power. Most solar panels are rectangular in shape and are made up of many smaller units called photovoltaic cells, which are connected together to form modules. These modules are then assembled together in groups of modules called arrays.

The ten uses of solar power generated through solar panels are as follows:

(a) Solar Water Heating:

The solar water heater consists of a collector, storage tank, and a circulation system. The collector captures the sun's rays and absorbs its heat. The storage tank holds the heated water, while the circulation system circulates it through the collector and into your home.

(b) Solar Heating of Buildings:

In passive solar heating systems, buildings are designed in such a way that they get warmed up by sunlight without using any mechanical means. In active systems, solar collectors are installed on rooftops that absorb sunlight with the help of reflectors and transfer it to buildings through insulated pipes.

(c) Solar-distillation:

Solar distillation is a process for purifying saline or brackish water by allowing it to evaporate from a shallow surface, leaving contaminants behind. This method is useful for people living in desert areas where there is abundant sunshine but limited freshwater resources.

(d) Solar Cooling:

Solar power can also be used to produce cooling effect by using adsorption refrigeration system, absorption refrigeration system and desiccant cooling system.

(e) Solar Lighting:

Sunlight can be directly utilized for lighting purpose by using solar photo voltaic (SPV) lighting system as well as solar thermal lighting system.

(f) Solar Space Heating:

Solar thermal systems are also used for space heating in residential, commercial and industrial buildings. These systems provide heat in winters and cool air in summer.

(g) Solar-pumping:

Solar-powered pumps can be used on farms to bring water from deep underground to the surface. This means that farmers can save money by using solar energy instead of diesel fuel or electricity to run their pumps.

Solar energy is the radiant energy emitted by the sun. It is harnessed and converted into electricity by solar panels, which are made from a material called silicon. Once this electricity is generated, it can be used for a variety of applications. These applications range from powering a fan to drying agricultural products to cooking food.

The 10 major application areas of solar energy through solar panels are as follows: (a) Solar Water Heating, (b) Solar Space Heating, (c) Solar Pumping, (d) Solar Desalination, (e) Solar Thermal Power Generation, (f) Solar Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning, (g) Solar Architecture and Artificial Lighting, (h) Cooking in Solar Box Cookers, and (i) Photochemical and Photobiological Applications.