Solar Energy Basics
Solar panels installed on a home in Colorado.
Solar is the Latin word for sun—a powerful source of energy that can be used to heat, cool, and light our homes and businesses. That's because more energy from the sun falls on the earth in one hour than is used by everyone in the world in one year. A variety of technologies convert sunlight to usable energy for buildings. The most commonly used solar technologies for homes and businesses are solar water heating, passive solar design for space heating and cooling, and solar photovoltaics for electricity.
Businesses and industry also use these technologies to diversify their energy sources, improve efficiency, and save money. Solar photovoltaic and concentrating solar power technologies are also being used by developers and utilities to produce electricity on a massive scale to power cities and small towns. Learn more about the following solar technologies:
Solar Photovoltaic Technology 
These technologies convert sunlight directly into electricity to power homes and businesses.
Concentrating Solar Power
These technologies harness heat from the sun to provide electricity for large power stations.
Solar Process Heat
These technologies use solar energy to heat or cool commercial and industrial buildings.
Passive Solar Technology
From the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy: these technologies harness heat from the sun to warm our homes and businesses in winter.
Solar Water Heating
From the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy: these technologies harness heat from the sun to provide hot water for homes and businesses.
Additional Resources
For more information about solar energy, visit the following resources:
Solar Energy Technology Basics
U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy
Solar Energy Conversion Data
U.S. Energy Information Administration.
