Solar Energy Explanation

The light and  radiant heat from the sun that influences Earth’s climate and waterand sustains life is called solar energy.  It is considered renewable energy along with the power of wind, wave, hydroelectricity and biomass.  It is considered the most available renewable energy on Earth.

From the upper atmosphere comes the Earth’s incoming solar radiation, meanwhile 30% is reflected back into space.  The  rest is absorbed by landmasses, clouds and the ocean.  The absorbed solar light heats the land surface atmosphere and the oceans.

The warm air containing evaporated water from the oceans rises driving atmospheric circulation. At a high altitude where the temperature is low for this air water vapor condenses into clouds, which causes it to rain on the surface of the earth and the water cycle is completed.

The latent heat of water condensation amplifies convection producing thigs such as cyclones.

The atmosphere circulation driven by solar energy is wind.

Tghe changiing of solar energy into chemical energy by photosynthesis produces wood, food and the biomass from which fossil fuels are derived.

Solar energy ca n change into thermal energy to heat water and spaces.