Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos
solar energy
Table of Contents
References & Edit History Related Topics
Images & Videos
Solar panels Reflection and absorption of solar energy Photosynthesis Solar energy potential
The transition to renewable energy explained by Phil the Fixer
Solar heating Solar pond Solar-powered cookstove Solar cell Concentrated solar-power plant
For Students
solar energy summary
Quizzes
Electric power lines against sunset (grid, power, wires, electrical, electricity)
Energy & Fossil Fuels
Nicolaus Copernicus. Nicolas Copernicus (1473-1543) Polish astronomer. In 1543 he published, forward proof of a Heliocentric (sun centered) universe. Coloured stipple engraving published London 1802. De revolutionibus orbium coelestium libri vi.
All About Astronomy
James Watt as a young man, c1769. Scottish engineer and instrument maker. Invented the modern steam engine which became the main source of power in Britain's textile mills. His engine had a separate condenser in which steam from the cylinder; (see notes)
Weaponry, Energy, and Power Systems Quiz
Related Questions
Read Next
Dr. Maria Telkes, September 4, 1956.
10 Women Scientists Who Should Be Famous (or More Famous)
Discover
In this aerial photo, structures are damaged and destroyed October 15, 2005 in Balakot, Pakistan. It is estimated that 90% of the city of Balakot was leveled by the earthquake. The death toll in the 7.6 magnitude earthquake that struck northern Pakistan on October 8, 2005 is believed to be 38,000 with at least 1,300 more dead in Indian Kashmir. SEE CONTENT NOTES.
6 of the World’s Deadliest Natural Disasters
Attack on Pearl Harbor. December 7, 1941. Pearl Harbor infographic. World War II. Hawaii. United States. Japan. SPOTLIGHT VERSION
Attack on Pearl Harbor Timeline
bird. mourning dove. pigeon and dove. Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) family Columbidae.
Nikola Tesla's Weird Obsession with Pigeons
African Americans demonstrating for voting rights in front of the White House as police and others watch, March 12, 1965. One sign reads, "We demand the right to vote everywhere." Voting Rights Act, civil rights.
Timeline of the American Civil Rights Movement
Chapter 4 pg 42 - Chapter header of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain. Published in 1884 by The American Publishing Company
Periods of American Literature
Data analysis of the Super Bowl's "winningest" teams, game locations, MVP winners by position, teams with the most game losses. football, sports, infographic
From Sport to Spectacle: The History of the Super Bowl
King Cobra snake in Malaysia. (reptile)
9 of the World’s Deadliest Snakes

solar energy: Related Content

verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Share
Share to social media
URL
https://www.britannica.com/facts/solar-energy
Written and fact-checked by
The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

The Information Architects maintain a master list of the topics included in the corpus of  Encyclopædia Britannica, and create and manage the relationships between them.
The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

News •

Solar crushed 2024, but emissions were up as industry used more natural gas • Feb. 20, 2025, 11:03 AM ET (TechCrunch)
A futuristic-looking solar energy plant is doomed • Feb. 15, 2025, 3:10 AM ET (USA Today)
Reform MP installed solar to cut bills but party calls renewables ‘massive con’ • Feb. 13, 2025, 3:42 AM ET (The Guardian)

Photos and Videos

Solar panels
Reflection and absorption of solar energy
Photosynthesis
Solar energy potential
Solar heating
Solar pond
Solar-powered cookstove
Solar cell
Concentrated solar-power plant
Solar reflector
The transition to renewable energy explained by Phil the Fixer
Exploring solar-powered artificial wings
See All Videos and Images →

Related Topics and References

Topics

Key People

Telkes, Mária
Mária Telkes
American physical chemist and biophysicist
Paul Beattie MacCready
American aeronautical engineer

Related Quizzes and Features

Quiz
James Watt as a young man, c1769. Scottish engineer and instrument maker. Invented the modern steam engine which became the main source of power in Britain's textile mills. His engine had a separate condenser in which steam from the cylinder; (see notes)
Weaponry, Energy, and Power Systems Quiz
Nicolaus Copernicus. Nicolas Copernicus (1473-1543) Polish astronomer. In 1543 he published, forward proof of a Heliocentric (sun centered) universe. Coloured stipple engraving published London 1802. De revolutionibus orbium coelestium libri vi.
All About Astronomy
Electric power lines against sunset (grid, power, wires, electrical, electricity)
Energy & Fossil Fuels