What is the basic method to produce solar energy?

Question

this is for A SCHOOL PROJECT PLESE ANSWER NOW

Answer 1

Thermal Solar uses mirrors to focus rays and heat water (or something) into steam.  It goes through turbines and turns generators like a power plant.  

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_therm...

converts about 30% of sun to electricity

Solar Cells and Solar panels use semiconductor technology to allow light to knock electrons loose

converts about 10% of sun to electricity

http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=...

the electrons migrate to produce a voltage

Solar ponds use differences in density caused by salt concentration to let a pool of water get hot.  

http://images.google.com/images?gbv=2&hl...

Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion is basicly solar also

http://images.google.com/images?gbv=2&hl...

Answer 2

Do nothing - ALL energy ultimately comes from the sun - the question is "How efficiently & directly can we access it?" Harvesting the direct rays of the sun IS the most efficient way.

Passive solar is when you don't do anything but allow the sunshine to come in, as in a greenhouse or pulling back the shades on the window.

Putting in solar collectors, panels, gives the option of storing this energy for later use.