Sunlight—through photovoltaic technology—provides this building at Oberlin College with electricity. Credit: Robb Williamson

About solar energy

There are a variety of technologies that have been developed to take advantage of solar energy. NREL performs research to develop and advance all of these technologies. These include:

Photovoltaic (solar cell) systems
Producing electricity directly from sunlight.

Concentrating solar systems
Using the sun's heat to produce electricity.

Passive solar heating and daylighting
Using solar energy to heat and light buildings.

Solar hot water
Heating water with solar energy.

Solar process heat and space heating and cooling
Industrial and commercial uses of the sun's heat.

For more resources about solar energy, see the U.S. Department of Energy's list of solar energy topics and links.