Question

What are two ways in which the Sun's energy can be captured and used? How can both be used in a home?

Answer 1

You can convert radiation from the Sun into electricity or use directly the heat produced by solar radiation.

Explanation:

You can use:
1) photovoltaic solar arrays that convert light into electrical current; they use special materials called semiconductors that react to the light producing current.
You can store current into batteries and use it later in your house to illuminate it or to operate appliances;
2) solar concentrators, to use the heat of the Sun to heat up water and use it to cook or in the shower. They are similar to curved mirrors that focus radiation concentrating the heat into a narrow region where a special liquid is heated up and used to exchange heat with water.