Whats the difference between solar photovoltaics (PV) and other solar energy technologies?
There are four main types of solar energy technologies: • Photovoltaic (PV) systems: which convert sunlight directly to electricity by means of PV cells made of semiconductor materials such as silicon. • Concentrating solar power (CSP) systems: which concentrate the sun’s energy using reflective devices such as troughs or mirrored panels to produce heat that is then used to generate steam and then electricity. • 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. • Transpired solar collectors, or “solar walls,”: which use solar energy to preheat ventilation air for a building.
