How is solar power being used today?

Solar power is being used in a wide variety of ways. Solar heat, captured by solar thermal power, is used to heat water, homes, swimming pools and even cook food. Solar photovoltaics (PV) or solar electricity is primarily used to provide electricity for individual homes and businesses, as well as a few solar PV power plants providing electricity directly to the grid.

Home solar power can be used to completely separate a home from the grid, in which case, excess electricity created during the day is stored in batteries for use at night. Most systems, however, are tied to the grid and excess electricity is simply "traded" for grid electricity at night. Most commercial-scale solar power plants actually use solar thermal power to create electricity by heating water into steam to spin an electric turbine.

In addition to heating homes and producing electricity, solar power is used in any number of gadgets and lighting products. Solar power is used to wirelessly light up gardens, landscapes, decks and patios, driveways, campsites and tents, and to power flashlights for use anywhere. Solar power is built into radios, phones, fans, Christmas lights, clothing, luggage, lawn ornaments and any number of other devices. Anything that requires electricity and has a reason to be outside in the sunshine can receive at least a portion of its power from solar electricity. On top of that, almost every day, new solar technologies and applications are invented and put to use.