solar energy
Americannoun
noun
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The radiant energy emitted by the Sun.
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Energy derived from the Sun's radiation. Passive solar energy can be exploited through architectural design, as by positioning windows to allow sunlight to enter and help heat a space. Active solar energy involves the conversion of sunlight to electrical energy, especially in solar (photovoltaic) cells.
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See also solar cell
Discover More
The term solar energy often refers to processes that use this energy to generate heat or electricity for human use. (See solar cells.)
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Researchers at Oregon State University have created a new class of materials that can use light to produce hydrogen from water, offering a potentially cleaner way to convert solar energy into fuel.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 4, 2026
According to the lawsuit, Smith and Mosley convinced the tribal agency, Kituwah LLC, to help their company acquire a proposed solar energy farm in Texas.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 2, 2026
Nearly 50% of Nuveen Green Capital’s deployment activity is focused on new construction, with the rest being allocated to building retrofits for things like solar energy upgrades.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 25, 2026
The company added it was "exploring opportunities" for solar energy and battery storage on site, and it would make use of "non-potable, brackish groundwater" which it said would avoid putting pressure on the watershed.
From Barron's ● Aug. 7, 2026
A mixture of tall and short plants means that more of the solar energy that falls on the pasture is turned into growth.
From "The Omnivore's Dilemma" by Michael Pollan
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