Understanding radiant energy

Have you ever felt the sun's warmth on your skin, even on a chilly day? That's radiant energy at work, a powerful natural force that brightens and warms our world. But what exactly is radiant energy?

Radiant energy quick facts

• Definition – Energy primarily from the sun, which is transferred and emitted by electromagnetic waves
• Everyday examples – Sunlight, radio waves, X-rays, microwaves, infrared radiation
• Key applications – Solar power generation, along with technologies for medical diagnoses and treatments

A closer look at radiant energy

The sun’s light and warmth, the heat from a campfire, and even the glow from your phone screen are all examples of radiant energy. It’s a form of energy that travels as electromagnetic waves. These waves include visible light, ultraviolet waves, infrared rays, gamma rays and radio waves.ⁱ

As we go about our daily lives, radiant energy is all around us, catalyzing our planet's natural processes. Radiant energy and electromagnetic waves are also the key forces we have harnessed to advance technological innovations like X-ray machines and solar panels.

Our sun is the ultimate source of radiant energy

Radiant energy from the sun travels 93 million miles on electromagnetic waves, delivering life-sustaining warmth and light to our planet.

Essential for photosynthesis in plants, the sun’s heat also powers our planet’s water cycle. It influences weather patterns, fuels ecosystems and offers an inexhaustible source of power for humans to harness. Needless to say, radiant energy from the sun is the force driving all life in our world and existence as we understand it.

How radiant energy is captured by solar panels 

Solar panels on rooftops, in solar farms and used in vast industrial-sized solar arrays capture radiant energy and convert it to electricity, Here’s a simple look at how they do it.

• Each solar panel is equipped with photovoltaic (PV) cells. These cells absorb sunlight, creating an environment where energy can be harnessed.

• When the PV cells absorb sunlight, they generate direct current (DC) electricity. This is the initial step in transforming radiant energy into a form you use in your home.

• Before this electricity can power your home, it must be converted from DC to alternating current (AC) electricity. This is where an inverter comes into play, ensuring that the electricity is in the right form to meet your needs.

• Once converted, this electricity is ready to use. It can power everything from your lights to your refrigerator

The science behind radiant energy

Photons – the messengers of light

At the heart of radiant energy are photons, tiny particles that carry electromagnetic force. These messengers of light are what make radiant energy possible. Photons transmit warmth, light and energy from the sun, through space and all the way to Earth. Without them, Earth would be dark, cold and lifeless.

Photons have remarkable properties that enable them to carry energy across vast distances. Because they have no mass, they travel at the speed of light, covering about 300,000 kilometers per second in a vacuum. This incredible speed allows light from the sun to reach Earth in about 8 minutes.ⁱⁱ Lastly, the amount of energy a photon carries is directly related to its wavelength — the shorter the wavelength, the more energy it has.

The influence of photons can be seen in digital communication where they carry data along fiber optic cables at the speed of light. Photons also play a key role in modern medical diagnostics and treatments through things like X-rays and laser surgery.

Electromagnetism and radiation

There is a vast spectrum of electromagnetic waves, which range from short-wavelength gamma rays to long-wavelength radio waves. Each plays a key role in transporting radiant energy in the world around us. This spectrum is governed by the principles of electromagnetism, a fundamental force of nature that dictates how electrically charged particles interact.

Electromagnetic waves and radiant energy also play important roles in creating electromagnetic fields, essential to the operation of countless devices from simple magnets to complex electrical systems.

While electromagnetic waves are the roads that radiant energy travels on, radiation is what is being delivered.

Harnessing the power of radiant energy for a more sustainable future

Radiant energy is the cornerstone of all renewable power solutions, offering a clean, virtually inexhaustible energy source. Whether directly or indirectly, the sun and its radiant forces ultimately drive all energy on our planet. Harnessing its practically unlimited power, we can reduce our dependency on fossil fuels and help reduce our global carbon footprint.

As we look to the future, technology and innovation are key to harnessing the full potential of radiant energy. From solar panels that convert sunlight into electricity to advancements in medicine and digital communications, there are many possibilities for harnessing the power of radiant energy.

Discover renewable energy plans and solar solutions from Reliant

Our solar energy plans and renewable choices are designed to harness the power of radiant energy, providing you with clean, sustainable power options that fit your lifestyle.

You can earn unlimited buyback credits for excess electricity exported to the grid with the Reliant Solar Payback Plus or Reliant Solar Payback Match plan.

If you're looking for renewable options without rooftop solar panels, learn more about our 100% Solar plan or the Make It Solar program. They're ideal choices whether you own or rent.