ENG-3.J—Describe the use of solar energy in power generation

Describe the use of solar energy in power generation.

• Photovoltaic solar cells capture light energy from the sun and transform it directly into electrical energy. Their use is limited by the availability of sunlight.
• Active solar energy systems use solar energy to heat a liquid through mechanical and electric equipment to collect and store the energy captured from the sun.
• Passive solar energy systems absorb heat directly from the sun without the use of mechanical and electric equipment, and energy cannot be collected or stored.
• Enduring understanding ENG-3: Humans use energy from a variety of sources, resulting in positive and negative consequences.