Solar panels or solar cells convert sunlight into electricity through the photovoltaic effect. When sunlight hits the cells, the energy from the photons in the sunlight is absorbed, causing electrons in the cells to become energized and flow through an electrical circuit, producing electricity. Solar thermal collectors, on the other hand, use sunlight to heat a fluid, such as water or air, which can then be used for heating buildings, generating electricity or for industrial processes.

One of the main advantages of solar energy is that it is renewable and can be harnessed anywhere on earth as long as there is sufficient sunlight. It is also environmentally friendly and produces no harmful emissions.

However, the initial cost of installing solar technology can be high, and the efficiency of solar panels is affected by weather conditions and the amount of sunlight available. Nonetheless, advances in technology have made solar energy more efficient and affordable, and it is becoming an increasingly popular source of energy around the world. Solar energy is a type of renewable energy that is derived from the sun’s radiation. It is a clean, sustainable and abundant source of energy that can be harnessed through the use of various technologies such as solar panels, solar cells, and solar thermal collectors.