Solar energy is the energy received by the earth from the sun. This energy is in the form of solar radiation, which makes the production of solar electricity possible.
Solar electricity relies upon man-made devices such as solar panels or solar cells in order to provide a source of clean, and low cost renewable energy.
We have used energy from the sun to provide electricity for many years, in the form of solar cell calculators and other small, low energy consuming devices.
As solar energy technologies become more advanced, we are able to exploit the energy we receive from the sun to provide a greater, significant amount of our electricity or even hot water (when using solar hot water panels).
The solar energy definition above mentions how energy from the sun is transported to earth through the form of solar radiation. Photons contained in this solar radiation makes the generation of electricity from the suns rays possible.
Solar energy is also partly responsible for wind energy, as wind patterns are greatly influenced by the sun. Also, the sun is responsible for heating the ground beneath our feet to a significant degree to support the use of geothermal, ground source heat pumps.
Without the existence of solar energy, human life could not be supported on planet earth due to many different factors.
