Articles about solar energy

Solar energy is a direction of alternative energy based on the direct use of solar radiation to produce energy in any form. Solar energy uses renewable energy sources and is “environmentally friendly”, that is, it does not produce harmful waste during the active phase of use. Energy production using solar power plants fits well with the concept of distributed energy production. Solar thermal energy - heating a surface that absorbs solar rays, and the subsequent distribution and use of heat (focusing solar radiation on a vessel with water or salt for subsequent use of the heated water for heating, hot water supply or in steam electric generators). As a special type of solar thermal energy stations, it is customary to distinguish solar systems of the concentrating type (CSP - Concentrated solar power). In these installations, the energy of the sun's rays is focused into a concentrated beam of light using a system of lenses and mirrors. This beam is used as a source of thermal energy to heat the working fluid.