Solar generators are photovoltaic devices that use photovoltaic cells, or solar cells, to convert solar energy to DC or AC electricity. There are many ways to collect solar energy including solar panels, parabolic troughs, solar dishes, and solar power towers with reflecting mirrors. Solar collectors are either labeled as non-concentrating or concentrating. The concentrating collectors use panels which are angled to absorb the sun's direct rays. Non-concentrating are designed for areas with indirect or lower amounts of direct sunlight. The non-concentrating collectors absorb the sun's energy rays from direct and different reflecting angles.

Solar generators are becoming popular for household power backup in the event of a power failure.

Solar power generation is still under heavy research for better materials and ways of collecting the energy from the sun and using solar generators to produce electricity and heat.