Two types of solar energy are thermal energy and photovoltaic energy. Thermal energy is the process of the sun’s rays warming a surface, such as the sun warming the garden soil. Builders use this passive solar energy by constructing thermal storage containers. One popular method is to build a massive stone wall on the side of the building where the sun shines. This method does not produce electricity.

Solar panels, called photovoltaic (PV) solar collectors, create electricity from the sun’s rays. Although it is not suitable More »