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Solar Electric Technologies
Introduction
Solar energy can be converted directly or indirectly into electricity by the use of the solar electric technologies:
- DIRECT: With the use of photovoltaic modules.
- INDIRECT: With concentrating solar power.
Photovoltaics (PV) is the field of technology and research related to the application of solar cells for energy production by converting the solar radiation (sunlight, including sun ultra violet radiation) directly into electricity using the photovoltaic effect.
The PV systems can be grid conected or off grid. Off grid system or stand alone systems are the so called solar home systems (SHS).
In the case of concentrating solar power the solar radiation is concentrated into a small area. This heats up a flud that is used to power a heat engine conected to a generator to produce electricity.
