Solar energy is the most important renewable energy source. It is freely available everywhere from the sun's light and heat. Solar energy can be utilized through solar thermal and solar electric routes. Solar thermal uses the sun's heat for hot water, heating, cooking, and drying. Solar electric generates electricity from sunlight using photovoltaic panels for powering homes and buildings. Concentrated solar power is a technology that uses mirrors to focus sunlight onto a receiver to produce steam and generate electricity similarly to fossil fuel plants.