Solar

Solar thermal and solar PV are two different technologies that harness the power of the sun for diverse applications.

Solar thermal technology converts sunlight into heat, which can then be used to generate electricity, heat water, and provide space heating. Solar thermal power plants use large mirrors or lenses to focus sunlight onto a receiver, where the heat is used to generate steam and turn a turbine to produce electricity. Solar thermal systems can also be used to heat water directly, which can be used for domestic hot water or space heating.

Solar PV technology, on the other hand, converts sunlight directly into electricity using photovoltaic cells. These cells are made up of semiconductor materials that generate electricity when exposed to sunlight. PV technology can be used in a variety of applications, from small-scale residential systems to large utility-scale power plants. Solar PV can also be used to power various devices such as calculators, streetlights, and water pumps.

Both solar thermal and solar PV have a wide range of applications, including power generation, solar heating, water heating, and hybrid applications. For example, a hybrid system can combine solar thermal and solar PV to generate electricity and heat water simultaneously, providing more efficient and cost-effective energy solutions. Additionally, solar thermal can be used to assist other energy sources, such as natural gas, to generate electricity in hybrid power plants.