使用者:Dalek sg/Solar power

太陽能發電是轉化太陽光到電的結果。太陽光可以直接通過太陽能光伏，或者間接地用聚集太陽能動力（en:concentrating solar power，CSP）聚焦太陽的能量讓水煮沸，然後再用來提供電力。最大的太陽能發電站，像 354 MW SEGS，是轉換太陽能的工廠，但最新建立了兆瓦的光電池。完成於 2008 年，46 MW Moura光電池電源部署在葡萄牙和德國的 40 MW Waldpolenz 太陽能公園是的特徵趨勢接近大的光電池電源站。更大的提議，如 550MW 的 Topaz 太陽能發電站，和 600 MW 的 RanchoCielo 太陽能發電站。

太陽能動力是可預測的間歇性能量來源，意味著太陽能發電是不在任何時候都具備，我們可以對何時具備，何時不具備預測出很高的正確程度，一些技術，像太陽能同蓄熱器的元素，像熔融鹽類。Salts are an effective storage medium because they are low-cost, have a high specific heat capacity and can deliver heat at temperatures compatible with conventional power systems, have the potential to eliminate the intermittency of solar power, by storing spare solar power in the form of heat; and using this heat overnight or during periods that solar power is not available to produce electricity. This technology has the potential to make solar power "dispatchable", as the heat source can be used to generate electricity at will. Solar power installations are normally supplemented by storage or another energy source, for example with wind power and hydropower.