There are some "direct" ways to use solar energy also.  By using what is called a "photovoltaic cell" or "solar cell" we may create electricity.  A solar cell basically carries electrons through a metal contact leading into a wire or other circuit that transmits electricity.  This device is used to convert light energy from the sun into electrical energy.  This process was first introduced way back in 1839 by a man named Alexandre-Edmond Becquerel.  He was a French physicist that first discovered the process.  Later on in 1883 Charles Fritts built the first solar cell coating it with a thin layer of gold.  The idea was also updated several times over the years by different people and in 1954 Bell Laboratories accidentally discovered that silicon with certain types of impurities were very sensitive to light thus giving us our modern day solar cell.

By using all the forms of solar energy found through out the many years of research, some going back over a century ago, it is not hard to think that we could have a true ability to obtain a way to use clean renewable energy globally very soon.  With the combined efforts of the many concerned countries all over the world solar energy could possibly become the leading energy source.  All we need is for the "fossils" in charge of fossil fuels to step aside and allow our world the opportunity to research and create efficient and cost effective ways to allow solar energy to be expanded to everyone as their main source of energy.