Solar power is primarily harnessed through which method?

Solar power is primarily harnessed through photovoltaic cells, which convert sunlight directly into electricity. This process involves the use of semiconductor materials that absorb photons from sunlight, releasing electrons and creating an electric current. This technology is foundational for solar energy systems and is widely used in residential, commercial, and utility-scale solar installations.

While other energy sources such as geothermal, wind, and hydroelectric are significant forms of renewable energy, they are not directly related to the conversion of solar energy. Geothermal energy harnesses heat from the Earth's interior, wind turbines convert kinetic energy from wind into electricity, and hydroelectric dams generate power from flowing water. Each of these methods relies on different natural processes and does not utilize solar energy as its primary source. Therefore, photovoltaic cells are the correct answer as they exclusively convert solar energy into usable electrical power.