Solar energy can both generate electricity and boil water

How do solar power plants work?

On a much larger scale, solar-thermal power plants employ various techniques to concentrate the sun's energy as a heat source. The heat is then used to boil water to drive a steam turbine that generates electricity in much the same fashion as coal and nuclear power plants, supplying electricity for thousands of people.

Can solar energy solve the water-energy dilemma in an eco-friendly way?

As an abundant and ubiquitous energy source, solar energy has successfully demonstrated its potential in tackling the water-energy dilemma in an eco-friendly way. In this issue of Joule, Wenbin and co-authors creatively propose the co-generation of electricity and freshwater via an integrated PV-membrane distillation system.

How do solar water heaters work?

This thermal technology can be deployed at industrial scale to boil water into steam to turn a turbine and generate electricity (concentrating solar power, CSP). A simple solar water heater runs water through pipes to heat the water on a sunny day. The warmed water is then stored in an insulated tank until use.

How do Solar Photovoltaics convert sunlight into electricity?

Concentrating Solar Power: Figure modified and annotated from the US Department of Energy: Solar Energy Technologies Office Solar photovoltaics (PV) convert sunlight directly into electricity by taking advantage of special properties of materials called semiconductors.