Solar Electricity vs. Solar Heating

Another way of turning solar energy into electrical energy is by Solar Thermal Electricity. In this method, sunlight is concentrated to give a high temperature. This high temperature is used to heat the working fluid of a heat engine. The engine drives an electrical generator.

Note that photovoltaics should not be confused with solar heating:

• The technologies are quite different
• Solar heating panels are efficient at producing hot water, but they cannot produce electricity
• Photovoltaics can produce heat by first turning sunlight into electricity, then using an electric heater. But this is inefficient.

Therefore, if you want heat, use solar heating. If you want electricity, use photovoltaics. Since the term 'solar panel' is used for both solar heating panels and photovoltaics panels, it is best avoided, to avoid confusion.