What is Solar Energy?Solar energy is radiant energy that is emitted by the sun which provides goods and services to a specific locale. The most well known products of solar energy conversion are hot water and electricity from solar thermal and photovoltaics. To generate electricity, solar panels, also known as PV panels or Photovoltaic panels, capture this light and generate a direct current of electricity. In addition to solar panels, there are also solar hot-water collectors in which the devices concentrate solar energy and convert it to thermal energy in order to heat a water supply.
Where is the Solar Industry heading?Solar energy for electric power is making major changes in society at national and state levels. In 2016, solar jobs grew 12 times faster than the U.S. economy, solar employed more people in the electricity generation sector than oil/coal/natural gas combined, and more solar generating capacity was added to the grid than any other new energy segment. In complement, academic institutions like Penn State are observing rapid annual increases in demand for higher education for solar careers: project economics, solar systems design, community solar strategies, and renewable policy development. Collectively, these changes will be vital to local economic growth, environmental protection, and electrical grid resiliency in Pennsylvania." Solar Societies at Penn State:Solar Research at Penn State:
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