What are the two main types of generating electricity with solar energy?

The correct answer identifies the two primary methods of generating electricity from solar energy. Photovoltaic and thermal systems harness solar energy in distinct ways.

Photovoltaic systems convert sunlight directly into electricity using semiconductor materials, commonly seen in solar panels that generate electrical power when exposed to sunlight. This method is widely adopted for residential, commercial, and utility-scale power generation due to its efficiency and decreasing cost over time.

Solar thermal systems, on the other hand, use sunlight to heat a fluid, which then generates steam to drive a turbine that produces electricity. This method is particularly effective in large-scale solar power plants, where concentrated solar power (CSP) systems utilize mirrors or lenses to concentrate sunlight and generate high temperatures.

By recognizing these two main methods—photovoltaic for direct electricity generation and thermal for indirect electricity generation through heat—it becomes clear why selecting the combination of photovoltaic and thermal provides an accurate representation of the main types of solar energy generation.

The other options presented do not accurately reflect the primary methods of solar electricity generation. Hydroelectric and wind pertain to different renewable energy sources entirely, while biomass does not involve solar energy directly. Substituting "parabolic" for solar thermal does not encompass the broader category of thermal technologies, making it