How does PV differ from other solar energy technologies?
There are four main types of solar energy technologies: 1 Photovoltaic (PV) systems, which convert sunlight directly to electricity by means of PV cells made of semiconductor materials. 2 Concentrating solar power (CSP) systems, which concentrate the sun’s energy using reflective devices such as troughs or mirror panels to produce heat that is then used to generate electricity. 3 Solar water heating systems, which contain a solar collector that faces the sun and either heats water directly or heats a ‘working fluid’ that, in turn, is used to heat water. 4 Transpired solar collectors, or ‘solar walls’, which use solar energy to preheat ventilation air for a building.
