How is solar energy trapped to provide electricity?

In two ways.

1. Photovoltaic (PV) cells and panels convert energy from sunlight into a flow of electrons (electricity).
   
   This can be on rooftops or in huge arrays out in the desert.
2. Solar ovens and solar farms use mirrors to focus the sun's rays onto a central point. Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) stations typically heat a central tank of a medium (like molten salt) to more than 600° Celsius. This heat is used through steam to run electricity turbines, including overnight, as the heat is retained for many hours.