Solar power is a renewable energy source that emits fewer greenhouse gas emissions relative to other sources of energy that supply the electric grid, by harnessing the energy that we receive from the Sun. This energy from the Sun can be transformed into electricity or other types of energy.
Some transformations that are carried nowadays to the solar power are:
Electricity: With the aid of photovoltaic cells that absorb sunlight and convert it into electricity, we power homes, entire buildings and the grid.
Thermal: For some applications and in some cases, sunlight turned into electricity is not enough for heat and power. In this cases solar thermal technology aids by concentrating the power of the Sun and steaming water that will produce energy with turbine mechanisms at the industrial level, or boil water for heating and sanitary use at homes and commercial buildings.
Passive Solar Heating: Lately, more and more new developments all around the globe are harnessing architectural knowledge and the solar power, to reduce heating costs in buildings and reduce the carbon footprint. Through designing windows, building materials, and mirroring technologies architects are heating up spaces with sunlight without the use of any machine or technology.