Solar energy

Solar energy is radiant light and heat from the Sun harnessed using a range of ever-evolving technologies such as solar heating, photovoltaics, solar thermal energy, solar architecture and artificial photosynthesis.

It is an important source of renewable energy and its technologies are broadly characterized as either passive solar or active solar depending on the way they capture and distribute solar energy or convert it into solar power. Active solar techniques include the use of photovoltaic systems, concentrated solar power and solar water heating to harness the energy. Passive solar techniques include orienting a building to the Sun, selecting materials with favorable thermal mass or light dispersing properties, and designing spaces that naturally circulate air.

The large magnitude of solar energy available makes it a highly appealing source of electricity. The United Nations Development Programme in its 2000 World Energy Assessment found that the annual potential of solar energy was 1,575–49,837 exajoules (EJ). This is several times larger than the total world energy consumption, which was 559.8 EJ in 2012.

Solar Energy (journal)

Solar Energy is a peer-reviewed scientific journal covering research on solar energy such as photovoltaics and solar heating, but also its indirect usages like wind power or bioenergy. It is published by Elsevier on behalf of the International Solar Energy Society. The editor-in-chief is Yogi Goswami. According to the Journal Citation Reports, the journal has a 2013 impact factor of 3.541.

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