Solar power as an alternative energy source is really two categories, photovoltaic and concentrated solar. Photovoltaics, more commonly known as solar cells is by far the most common application to capture the sun's energy. Using semiconductor materials, solar cells will convert sunlight into electricity, but is only about fifteen percent efficient. The low efficiency and high relitive cost of solar panels have so far prevented wide spread adoption of the technology. A typical installation will not show a positive return on cash invested for years. Newer manufacturing techniques are beginning to show the promise of reduced costs in the near future. Hopefully we will then see a much greater interest.

Concentrated solar power generation is a bit different. This application requires a large scale investment in a big plant. One type uses a series of mirrors to focus sunlight onto a single collection point, often the top of a tower--very much like a giant parabolic dish. This focused sunlight then heats a material like oil perhaps, which then moves the heat to a point where the heat is then converted to electricity. Like solar cells, this process is only about fifteen percent efficient

Solar power is going to feature prominently in our future. Newer technologies will lower the necessary capital investment and will become much more accessible to residential and commercial consumers alike.