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

The findings could also encourage further research combining singlet fission and metal complexes, with potential uses not only in solar energy but also in LEDs and emerging quantum technologies.

From Science Daily • Mar. 28, 2026

As well as changes to requirements for new-builds, the government wants to make it easier for those in existing homes in the UK, particularly those in flats, to access solar energy.

From BBC • Mar. 23, 2026

We expect solar energy and cybersecurity companies to have strong secular earnings-growth tailwinds.

From Barron's • Mar. 19, 2026

Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears last year, including vows to expand solar energy projects and technologies such as fusion, geothermal and hydrogen.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 24, 2026

Each assemblage is poised in the flow of solar energy, tapping off energy from metabolic surrogates of the sun.

From "The Lives of a Cell" by Lewis Thomas

Related Words

• solar power
• solar radiation