As soon as the heat is captured, people can put the energy into good use. Basic Heat Principles Heat is described as a form of energy that is related to the movement of molecules. Once the electromagnetic waves that emanate from the sun hit an object, these will excite the molecules of the object, triggering movement. Scientists during the 18th century were able to discover that covering a box with a glass top while heating it would actually get the water to reach boiling temperature. But it wasn t until someone tried to separate the solar heat collector with the water tank that the first prototype for solar hot water heaters was created. How to Choose the Best Solar Energy System With the recent advances in technology in recent years, being able to produce viable and clean energy to be used to power your home is now a reality. Alternative sources of power and energy will not only help you avoid burning fossil fuel to help provide electricity for your home, but will also help you save a considerable amount of money on the cost of your utility. After the work of Russell Ohl during the 1940s, Calvin Fuller, Gerald Pearson and Daryl Chapin made the silicon solar cell in 1954. These were the early solar cells that were very expensive and can reach efficiencies of around 4.5% to 6%. The highest efficiency PV cells produced were by Boeing and SpectroLab in 2009, with efficiencies of around 35% to 41%. The energy is acquired from solar panels on the surface or the top of the vehicle. PV or photovoltaic cells change the energy of the sun straight into electrical energy. Solar cars are not used as day-to-day transportation devices currently. These are still used in engineering trials and demonstration practices, usually sponsored by private or government agenices. There are a couple of types in this category - passive solar energy and active solar energy. Passive solar energy describes the harnessing of the energy of the sun without the need for mechanical devices. You can use windows that face south to give you natural light and additional heat for the home. There are many solar applications that a homeowner can rely on to get the most benefits out of passive solar energy like passive cooling, passive solar heating and daylighting.