5 days ago · There are two main types of solar energy technologies—photovoltaics (PV) and concentrating solar-thermal power (CSP). On this page you’ll find resources to learn what solar energy is; how you, your business, or your community can go solar; and find resources for every step of the way.

What is solar systems integration and how does it work? Solar systems integration involves developing technologies and tools that allow solar energy onto the electricity grid, while maintaining grid reliability, security, and efficiency.

Solar water heaters -- sometimes called solar domestic hot water systems -- can be a cost-effective way to generate hot water for your home. They can be used in any climate, and the fuel they use -- sunshine -- is free. How They Work. Solar water heating systems include storage tanks and solar collectors.

Sometimes energy storage is co-located with, or placed next to, a solar energy system, and sometimes the storage system stands alone, but in either configuration, it can help more effectively integrate solar into the energy landscape. What Is Energy Storage?

Buying a solar energy system makes you eligible for the Solar Investment Tax Credit, or ITC. In December 2020, Congress passed an extension of the ITC, which provides a 26% tax credit for systems installed in 2020-2022, and 22% for systems installed in 2023.

Planning for a home renewable energy system is a process that includes analyzing your existing electricity use, looking at local codes and requirements, deciding if you want to operate your system on or off of the electric grid, and understanding technology options you have for your site.

In Germany, residential PV systems are sold at ~$2.44/W RFI on the street that asks the question “Can we have residential PV systems at $2/W?” At the scale of about 1,000 homes (~5 MW), demonstrate that $2/W (no incentives) can be achieved …

Learn more about the advantages of wind energy, solar energy, bioenergy, geothermal energy, hydropower, and marine energy, and how the U.S. Department of Energy is working to modernize the power grid and increase renewable energy production.

Learn solar energy technology basics: solar radiation, photovoltaics (PV), concentrating solar-thermal power (CSP), grid integration, and soft costs.

Solar manufacturing encompasses the production of products and materials across the solar value chain. This page provides background information on several manufacturing processes to help you better understand how solar works.