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

In 2011, a solar energy manufacturer named Solyndra declared bankruptcy.

From Slate ● Jul. 27, 2026

Without soil moisture to evaporate, solar energy goes entirely into baking the ground, thereby amplifying temperatures.

From BBC ● Jul. 2, 2026

Much like solar energy, the ethanol could be used to offset heating costs and to keep the fridge running when the power goes out, all while being fueled by household waste.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 29, 2026

The logic is seductive: Launch the data centers into orbit, where solar energy is abundant and land, water and local power grids are no longer constraints.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 19, 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