Solar Thermal Energy
Solar thermal energy can be used for heating water, space heating daylighting, cooking and focussed through collectors to provide high temperature heat to operate turbines to generate electricity.
There are low temperature solar collection systems and high temperature solar collection systems and also passive solar heating.
Low temperature solar collection generally uses glass wheras high temperature solar collection generally uses mirrors.
Passive solar heating is where solar radiation heats up objects and enclosed areas.
Active solar heating collects solar radiation from a collector, typically mounted on a roof.
Solar Power 101 - how does sunlight turn into electricity