Solar energy is the radiant energy from the Sun's light and heat, which can be harnessed using a range of technologies such as solar electricity, solar thermal energy (including solar water heating) and solar architecture.

Mar 19, 2025 · Solar energy is the radiation from the Sun capable of producing heat, causing chemical reactions, or generating electricity. The total amount of solar energy received on Earth is vastly more than the world’s current and anticipated energy requirements.

Solar technologies convert sunlight into electrical energy either through photovoltaic (PV) panels or through mirrors that concentrate solar radiation. This energy can be used to generate electricity or be stored in batteries or thermal storage.

Aug 6, 2024 · Solar energy is energy from the sun that we capture with various technologies, including solar panels. There are two main types of solar energy: photovoltaic (solar panels) and thermal. The “photovoltaic effect” is the mechanism by which solar panels harness the sun’s energy to generate electricity.

6 days ago · The sun emits solar radiation in the form of light. Solar energy technologies capture this radiation and turn it into useful forms of energy. There are two main types of solar energy technologies—photovoltaics (PV) and concentrating solar-thermal power (CSP).

Apr 3, 2024 · Solar energy is any type of energy generated by the sun. Solar energy is created by nuclear fusion that takes place in the sun. Fusion occurs when protons of hydrogen atoms violently collide in the sun’s core and fuse to create a helium atom.

May 1, 2023 · When sunlight strikes the Earth’s surface, human-made innovative technologies capture their light and heat and convert these into electrical energy. This conversion happens through photovoltaic (PV) panels, which contain cells that can capture the sunlight’s energy.

Aug 29, 2023 · Solar energy is a form of renewable energy, in which sunlight is turned into electricity, heat, or other forms of energy we can use. It is a “carbon-free” energy source that, once built, produces none of the greenhouse gas emissions that are driving climate change.

Dec 27, 2022 · Energy from the sun. The sun has produced energy for billions of years and is the ultimate source for all of the energy sources and fuels that we use. People have used the sun's rays (solar radiation) for thousands of years for warmth and to dry meat, fruit, and grains.

Solar energy is radiant energy from the sun—a fully renewable energy resource. We use the solar resource to provide daylight, electricity, and heat in four ways (in order of prevalence): Solar PV is the fastest-growing electricity resource in the world.