A solar energy conversion system (SECS),^[1][2][3] or solar energy harvester are general terms that could be used for any machine that, powered by solar energy, either generates energy that can be used to directly heat a fluid or gas (passive solar) or generate electricity (PV, CPV, PETE,...). The term can thus refer to:

• Thermal solar energy conversion systems (generally passive solar systems without mirrors or lenses),
• Photovoltaic solar systems (PV),
• Biohybrid solar cells,
• Dye-sensitized solar cells,
• Luminescent solar concentrators (a type of concentrated photovoltaics or CPV technology),
• Concentrating solar power systems,
• Photon Enhanced Thermionic Emission systems,...^[4]

Operation

The conversion of the energy of the power of the sun into more useful forms is done using a variety of ways, each depending on the type of system employed. See photovoltaics.

See also

• Optimum orientation of solar energy harvesters
• energy harvesting
• Wind energy conversion system
• Thermal energy conversion system
• Hydro energy conversion system

References

External links

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concentrated_photovoltaics
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_thermal_energy
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biohybrid_solar_cell
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dye-sensitized_solar_cell
• Energy Harvesting Trends for 2018