Solar technology is rapidly changing with less expensive panels, higher efficiency panels, more sophisticated inverters, and micro-inverters. There continues to be growing interest in solar installations ranging from on and off-grid residential to utility scale. AEA provides solar energy information, references, resources, and technical assistance, and shares information about solar project issues like microgrid phase imbalance.
Solar electric projects convert the energy from the sun's rays into electricity to feed the building unit or the grid to which it is connected. Solar panels are used to collect the radiant wavelength energy of the sun. A converter is then used to change the energy into electricity that can be transfered into a grid.
Solar thermal projects involve the use of solar energy for heating purposes. Typically, pipes are arranged such that a cluster of piping passes through a solar panel. Radiant energy from the sun increases the temperature within that section of pipes and that heat spreads throughout the piped loop.