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 What is Solar Energy?There are two categories of solar energy; that is, thermal and light. Light solar energy, Photo-voltaic cells (PV), use semiconductor-based technology to convert light energy directly into an electric current that can either be used right away, or stored in a battery for use later. Photo Voltaic panels are now becoming widely used as they are now multipurpose. They provide a clean renewable energy resource which supplements the heating sources we currently have in our homes. PV can provide a viable energy alternative to regions with a limited or non-existent main electricity supply. The disadvantage of PV energy panels and solar energy heating systems is the high cost and relatively low energy conversion rate. The conversion rate of most PV energy systems is around 16% The energy conversion rate of thermal solar can be as high as 50-60%; i.e., much more energy efficient. 
Thermal energy can be used to heat the interior of buildings in a number of ways. For instance, the use of certain types of building materials can be used to absorb the heat from the sun's rays and minimize the amount of energy that is reflected out. With solar water heating systems, solar energy is used directly to heat water for applications like radiant floor heating. In regions where the thermal energy panels are able to catch the sun's rays unobstructed, solar water heaters can be a viable alternative or supplement to conventional heating.Thermal energy can be utilized for many household purposes including the hot water we use for cooking or bathing, and space heating. Stored thermal energy may even be used for cooling using a process known as absorption chilling technology. Flat panel solar collectors have been in use for decades, but only in recent history have technological advances yielded such a high energy conversion rate and ease of installation. With these technological advances, the number of households using thermal solar energy has increased steadily. Evacuated tubes have been in use for only the last few decades, and only sparingly due to their high cost of production. Recently, however, the production volume of evacuated tubes has increased sharply, which has lowered manufacturing and material costs. As a result, prices for evacuated tubes are now similar to flat plates and have become the systems of choice due to their greater heat absorption capacity. Evacuated tubes are more energy efficient than flat plat thermal solar collectors because of their superior insulating properties, and have become the product of choice for thermal solar applications.
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