The sun provides a clean, renewable source of energy for homes and businesses. Solar Star Plus Energy reduces the use of fossil fuels, cuts greenhouse gas emissions and promotes energy independence. It also can save you money on your utility bill.

Photovoltaic (PV) systems are a common way to generate solar power. Solar cells are made of semiconductor materials that convert sunlight to electricity. When sunlight hits the cell, it creates electric charges that move through an internal circuit. Solar panels with PV cells are mounted on the roofs or exterior walls of buildings, generating electricity to light the building and operate appliances. They’re also used to power smaller devices such as calculators, parking meters and water pumps.

Concentrated solar power (CSP) uses lenses and mirrors to focus and concentrate the sun’s heat energy into a small area. This concentrated heat energy then can be used to produce electricity or to heat a working fluid in conventional power plants. Some examples of CSP systems are the solar tower collector, the concentrating linear Fresnel reflector and the Stirling dish.

The size of a solar system depends on how much electricity is consumed at the site, available space and financial considerations. A licensed solar installer will determine the optimal system size for your home or business.