How is solar energy used?

The sun's rays hit the surface of the Earth in the form of radiation which is known as solar energy. The solar energy works better where there is a lot of sunlight. The appliance of solar energy can be grouped into three primary classes: heating/cooling, electricity production and chemical processes. The solar energy is frequently used to provide electricity to pump water, for domestic lighting, street lighting and railway signals.

How is solar energy used seems like a mystery to some. Solar energy can be captured and used in several ways including photovoltaic cells, active solar energy, passive solar energy and solar thermal-electric technologies. The photovoltaic cells are semiconductor devices, which demonstrate electrical properties in the presence of sunlight. The active solar thermal systems are used to capture solar energy which in turn converts heat into air or water. These systems are usually used for space heating and water heating. Some buildings in the northern hemisphere are planned in such a way that they do not need a solar collector. The basic building materials like walls and floors are meant to absorb and store the sun's heat during the day and release the heat at night. The solar thermal electric technologies concentrate on solar energy from the sun to drive a generator or heat engine.
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