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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Federal agency says a second, if weaker, solar storm surge is likely

The Call 14 May 2024
On Saturday, the powerful solar storm put on an amazing skyward light show across the globe overnight but caused only minor disruptions to the electric power grid, communications and satellite positioning systems....
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'Internet‘apocalypse’: Solar storm misinformation spreads, Starlink service ‘degraded’

Gulf News 14 May 2024
Since Wednesday (May 8, 2024), the sun has emitted powerful solar flares ... Cyclical solar activity have been observed recently. ... NOAA reported that the powerful solar storm put on an amazing skyward light show across the globe – but caused only “minor” disruptions to the electric power grid, communications and satellite positioning systems....
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'Internet apocalypse’: Solar storm misinformation spreads, Starlink service ‘degraded’

Gulf News 14 May 2024
Since Wednesday (May 8, 2024), the sun has emitted powerful solar flares ... Cyclical solar activity have been observed recently. ... NOAA reported that the powerful solar storm put on an amazing skyward light show across the globe – but caused only “minor” disruptions to the electric power grid, communications and satellite positioning systems....
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Sunday sees weaker solar storm

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette 13 May 2024
government agency forecast said a weaker repeat of Saturday's powerful solar storm occurred on Sunday ... On Saturday, the powerful solar storm put on an amazing skyward light show across the globe overnight but caused only minor disruptions to the electric power grid, communications and satellite positioning systems....
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Solar storm brings light shows

Winston-Salem Journal 13 May 2024
A powerful solar storm put on an amazing skyward light show across the globe overnight but caused what appeared to be only minor disruptions to the electric power grid, communications and satellite positioning systems ... ....
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Readers share photos of Northern Lights

Brattleboro Reformer 13 May 2024
A powerful solar storm put on an amazing skyward light show across the globe on Friday night, with sightings of the Northern Lights as far south as Fort Lauderdale, Florida .......
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Federal Agency Says a Second, If Weaker, Solar Storm Surge Is Likely Sunday

The Epoch Times 12 May 2024
On Saturday, the powerful solar storm put on an amazing skyward light show across the globe overnight but caused only minor ......
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Solar storm causes few problems

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette 12 May 2024
A powerful solar storm put on an amazing skyward light show across the globe overnight but has caused what appeared to be only minor disruptions to the electric power grid, communications and satellite positioning systems ... The solar storm was seen across the globe overnight but ......
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Federal agency says a second, weaker solar storm surge is likely Sunday

Stars and Stripes 12 May 2024
government agency said a weaker repeat of Saturday’s powerful solar storm was likely on Sunday ... On Saturday, the powerful solar storm put on an amazing skyward light show across the globe overnight but caused only minor disruptions to the electric power grid, communications and satellite positioning systems....
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Solar storm puts on light show, no serious problems reported

Beijing News 12 May 2024
A powerful solar storm put on a skyward light show across the globe overnight but has caused what appeared to be minor disruptions to the electric power grid, communications and satellite positioning systems ... In the United States, Friday's solar storm pushed the lights much farther south than normal....
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Solar storm’s brilliant global light show causes only mild problems

Boston Herald 12 May 2024
A powerful solar storm put on an amazing skyward light show across the globe overnight but has caused what appeared to be only minor disruptions to the electric power grid, communications and satellite positioning systems ... In the U.S., Friday’s solar storm pushed the lights much farther south than normal....
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Solar storm puts on brilliant light show across the globe, no serious problems reported

Beijing News 12 May 2024
A powerful solar storm put on an amazing skyward light show across the globe overnight but has caused what appeared to be only minor disruptions to the electric power grid, communications and satellite positioning systems ... The agency alerted operators of power plants and orbiting spacecraft, as well as FEMA, to take precautions....
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Solar Storm Puts on Brilliant Light Show Across the Globe, but No Serious Problems Reported

Virtual Jerusalem 12 May 2024
A powerful solar storm put on an amazing skyward light show across the globe ......
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