The earth’s three main life support systems are the sun, water, and air. The sun provides us with heat and light, and it can also be harnessed as a powerful type of renewable energy. Solar energy is considered to be easily accessible, clean, and relatively inexpensive to convert and store once initial investments of set-up costs have been made.
Understanding solar energy better is the first step to helping people convert their energy consumption to solar. This quick guide will give you some insight into how solar energy is somewhat different from conventional forms of energy. Let’s dive in.
Different Methods
You should first be aware that there are different methods for converting and using solar energy.
Photovoltaic – This type of solar technology directly converts the sun’s rays into electricity using panels made of cells.
Solar Thermal Technology – This type of solar energy captures the sun’s thermal energy. The heat is then used to directly convert into mechanical energy that, in turn, converts into electricity. This is also known as concentrated solar power.
Different Types of Installations
Another important detail is the different types of installation.
Individual systems – These are often installed on homes or even installed for the use of small communities. The photovoltaic panels will be used to power electrical devices. At the same time, solar thermal collectors can heat the structure or heat water.
Power Plant Systems – A solar power plant is used over many acres of land to generate electricity for a large area. The energy is used in a grid system similar to a conventional energy system.
The fact that there are different options available makes solar energy even more attractive. This allows communities and individuals to evaluate their energy needs and make the right choices for them.  
Differences In Power
The main differences in power have much to do with the type of solar energy you are using, whether or not you are on a grid, and what kinds of energy needs you have.
Suppose you are using a system that is installed on your home only. In that case, you will probably have energy generated from your solar panels as well as energy generated from the traditional grid you are on. If this is the case, you will likely never see any differences in power. Your system will use stored solar energy, and when that wanes, your system can use traditional energy as a backup.
If you are on a solar-powered grid in your city or community, you are also unlikely to experience any issues with power supply.
The only time you might experience issues would be if you are singularly relying on your own solar-powered system on your structure with no backup energy. In this type of situation, you could experience interruptions in power occasionally. Most people with solar energy, without a grid to back them up, will have another form of backup energy, such as a fuel-powered generator.