Photovoltaic cells and thermal conversion are the methods available for converting solar power to electricity. Using the heat of the sun to make electricity is known as solar conversion. Electricity can be generated by direct exposure to the sun by sheet of a specialized material that are photovoltaic.

Sunlight is needed for solar thermal conversion (as the name implies.) Solar energy is a type of energy It uses properties of reflection to create intense heat. (thermal). If you have ever starting a magnifying glass fire, than you were using solar energy. High heat is created when the sun beats down on the magnifying glass. When using actual solar cells they use this method to produce steam by superheating liquids. Steam is created, which in turn moves a turbine that converts the energy into electrity.

Light converted to electricity is the definition of Photovoltaic Conversion. Photovaltaic cells are usually made up of two panels each of which is made up of two different layers of materials. When light hits these two layers, one becomes positively charged while the other becomes negatively charged. Electric current is produced, when a ositive end and a negative end, when a wire connects the two ends, it produces very much like a regular battery. An electric current is created when the two layers of material in a solar cell are exposed to light.

Just one solar cell will of course work better when the sun is shining. The longer, more intense and most direct sunlight will produce the best results.

Solar cells are used to generate electricity for a variety of things, such as cell phones and entire communities. Solar power has the advantage of portability while traveling or camping, not to mention it also very environmentally friendly. As previously stated if you have started a fire using a magnifying glass than you have used solar energy. The devices offered today are more efficient and effective then ever before. In the future it is extremely bright and promising the use of solar power now.