What is Solar Energy? Solar Energy is energy radiated or given off by the sun. The sun is made up of many gases, in particular hydrogen and helium gases. The core of the sun is largely made up of hydrogen atoms which combine together via a process we call nuclear fusion to form helium atoms. When this conversion takes place there is a reduction in the mass of the atoms, this reduction is given off from the sun in heat called radiant energy or solar energy.

The energy travels from the sun to the earth surface at the speed of light (about 8 minutes). The amount of solar energy that can be harnessed by using solar cells varies due to a number of conditions such as cloud cover, time of day, time of the year (season) and proximity to the sun.

We can then use the solar energy given off by the sun to create power, by harnessing it through carious means such as solar panels and insulation.

The beauty of Solar energy is that is free once you have harnessed it, environmentally friendly and provided the  sun stays up there in the sky, limitless.

Learn more about what is solar energy and how to harness it here What is Solar Energy?