Notes

Solar cells can directly use sunlight to generate electricity.
Solar Energy Facts

Heat from the sun can be captured and used as a form of solar energy. In order for this process to take place, some form of solar technology must be used. There are two types of solar technology: passive and active solar. These types of solar technologies differ in the way in which solar energy is captured.
Interesting Solar Energy Facts:
Solar energy is taken from the light from the Sun's rays that hit the Earth.
Solar energy can be used to make electricity and other forms of energy.
Thermal energy from the sun was first used by British astronomer John Herschel as he used a thermal box to cook food.
In order to heat objects such as swimming pools, solar energy is converted into thermal energy.
ergy is a beneficial source of energy because its generation does not affect the environment and nor add to pollution.
Solar energy can sometimes be difficult because the amount of sunlight an area receives varies.
Solar energy is the most plentiful form of energy found on Earth because it is found anywhere the Sun hits.
Although solar energy is abundant, it is difficult and expensive to transform into a usable form.
There is enough solar energy generated by the Sun to fulfill Earth's electrical needs without the use of other forms of energy.
The world's largest solar energy power plant is located in the United States in the state of California.
Passive solar energy does not require any machinery because solar energy is used directly.
With active solar energy, a device is needed that collects solar energy so that it may be pumped into an area.
Since the 1950s, the space shuttle has used solar energy to power its space craft.
It takes less than 10 minutes for the light from the Sun to reach Earth.