Solar energy systems use sunlight to heat water in that circulates from rooftop cells around a physical plant and to excite photo-sensitive materials in photovoltaic (PV) cells to generate electricity. Solar water heating systems have been used for decades, and early PV's powered calculators. PV cells traditionally have been made of silicon.

On the Other: An Impractical Alternative Energy

Solar energy does not work in areas with insufficient hours of sunlight. Water panels are too heavy for all but specially reinforced or industrial applications. PV cells are extremely heavy, expensive and produce only direct current (DC) electricity. Although solar energy works in theory, its practical applications are limited.

Bottom Line

Solar water systems are widely successful in the Third World. Researchers from Santa Fe Workshop on Nanoengineered Materials and Macro-Molecular Technologies are developing lightweight organic polymer PVs that also transform solar electricity to AC, solving power grid interface conflicts. Solar power will work in more markets as fossil fuels become scarcer.

Source:

ScienceDaily: Solar Breakthrough Will Help Spur Viability Of Alternative Energy

ScienceDaily: Solar Water Heating Pays For Itself Five Times Over

SolarPower: Latest News

Resource:

U.S. Department of Energy:Solar Energy Technologies Program, Photovoltaic Basics

California Energy Commission:Buying a Photovoltaic Solar Electric System

Florida Solar Energy Center: Solar Electricity