Solar technology refers to the harnessing of sunlight to produce energy—primarily electricity or heat—using various technologies. It’s one of the most promising renewable energy sources due to its abundance, sustainability, and minimal environmental impact.

Main Types of Solar Technology:

1. Photovoltaic (PV) Systems
   • Function: Convert sunlight directly into electricity using semiconducting materials (usually silicon).
   • Examples: Rooftop solar panels, solar farms, portable solar chargers.
   • Key Component: Solar cell or PV cell.
2. Concentrated Solar Power (CSP)
   • Function: Uses mirrors or lenses to focus sunlight onto a small area, generating heat to produce electricity via steam turbines.
   • Common in: Large-scale power plants in sunny regions.
3. Solar Thermal Systems
   • Function: Capture solar energy to heat water or air for residential, commercial, or industrial use.
   • Example: Solar water heaters.

Advantages of Solar Technology:

• Renewable and abundant.
• Low environmental impact (no emissions during operation).
• Reduces electricity bills.
• Low maintenance costs.
• Increasingly affordable due to falling panel prices.

Challenges:

• Intermittent energy supply (depends on weather and time of day).
• High initial installation cost (though decreasing).
• Energy storage (batteries) needed for nighttime or cloudy days.
• Requires space for installation.

Recent Innovations:

• Bifacial solar panels (capture sunlight on both sides).
• Perovskite solar cells (cheaper and more efficient alternative to silicon).
• Solar windows and transparent panels.
• Floating solar farms (installed on lakes and reservoirs).