solar energy

American  

[soh-ler en-er-jee] / ˈsoʊ lər ˈɛn ər dʒi /

noun

1. energy derived from the sun in the form of solar radiation.

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solar energy British  

noun

1. energy obtained from solar power

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solar energy Scientific  

1. The radiant energy emitted by the Sun.

2. 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.

3. See also solar cell

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solar energy Cultural  

1. The energy the Earth receives from the sun, primarily as visible light and other forms of electromagnetic radiation. (See renewable resource.)

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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

See Examples For:

solar energy

The state had been a leader nationally on solar energy in the 2000s.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 31, 2026

The company aspires to launch data centers in space, powered by solar energy.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 13, 2026

Success would show how a breakthrough originating in fundamental quantum physics could lead directly to improvements in next-generation solar energy technology.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 8, 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

But Dad’s main interest was energy: thermal energy, nuclear energy, solar energy, electrical energy, and energy from the wind.

From "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls

Related Words

• solar power
• solar radiation