Solar energy is viewed as the clean and renewable source of energy for the future. Solar energy can be derived directly as in the following examples:

-Sunlight hits a photovoltaic cell (also called a photoelectric cell) creating electricity.
-Sunlight hits the dark absorber surface of a solar thermal collector and the surface warms. The heat energy is carried away by a fluid circuit.
-Sunlight strikes a solar sail on a space craft and is converted directly into a force on the sail which causes motion of the craft.
-Sunlight strikes a light mill and causes the vanes to rotate, although little practical application has yet been found for this effect.
-Sunlight is focused on an externally mounted fibre optic cable which conducts sunlight into building interiors to supplement lighting.


Check out the related links provided here for more information about solar energy.

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