Solar energy has been harnessed by humans since ancient times using a range of ever-evolving technologies. Solar, along with secondary solar-powered resources such as and wave power, and biomass account for most of the available renewable energy on earth. Only a minuscule fraction of the available solar energy is used.

Solar-powered electrical generation relies on heat engines and photovoltaics. Solar energy’s uses are limited only by human ingenuity. A partial list of solar applications includes space heating and cooling through solar architecture, potable water via distillation and disinfection, solar hot water, solar cooking, and high temperature process heat for industrial purposes. To harvest the solar energy, the most common way is to use solar panels.