Solar power

Solar power is the conversion of sunlight into electricity, either directly using photovoltaics (PV), or indirectly using concentrated solar power (CSP). Concentrated solar power systems use lenses or mirrors and tracking systems to focus a large area of sunlight into a small beam. Photovoltaics convert light into an electric current using the photovoltaic effect.

The International Energy Agency projected in 2014 that under its "high renewables" scenario, by 2050, solar photovoltaics and concentrated solar power would contribute about 16 and 11 percent, respectively, of the worldwide electricity consumption, and solar would be the world's largest source of electricity. Most solar installations would be in China and India.

Photovoltaics were initially solely used as a source of electricity for small and medium-sized applications, from the calculator powered by a single solar cell to remote homes powered by an off-grid rooftop PV system. As the cost of solar electricity has fallen, the number of grid-connected solar PV systems has grown into the millions and utility-scale solar power stations with hundreds of megawatts are being built. Solar PV is rapidly becoming an inexpensive, low-carbon technology to harness renewable energy from the Sun.

Latest News for: Solar power globe

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Why this tiny forest cabin in Tasmania will set you back $1.5million: 'Heaven' | Daily ...

The Daily Mail 10 Apr 2025
Would you trade the chaos of modern life for a solar-powered cabin nestled in the forest? ... The centrepiece is a small handcrafted solar-powered day cabin tucked into the forest ... 'There are solar panels, a generator or battery that powers the lights, a gas stove [with] drop toilets and composting toilets inside.'....
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Flying with the sun

PV Magazine 07 Apr 2025
Solar-powered aircraft, while still only prototypes, could offer a promising solution in the long run ... In 2012, the explorer completed the first circumnavigation of the globe in a solar-powered boat PlanetSolar ... This setup, he claims, allows the plane to operate solely on solar power during typical flights....
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Airbus Foundation and Solar Impulse Foundation launch call for projects

Airbus 01 Apr 2025
The Solar Impulse Foundation, named for the long-range solar-powered aircraft which circumnavigated the globe in 2016, brings to the table expertise in identifying, advising on, project managing and certifying nature-based projects to achieve the greatest impact....

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