What is the term for energy from the sun that is converted into thermal or electrical energy?

The term for energy from the sun that is converted into thermal or electrical energy is solar power. This refers specifically to the harnessing of sunlight and its conversion into usable forms of energy through various technologies, such as solar panels, which convert sunlight directly into electricity, or solar thermal systems that capture heat for heating purposes.

Solar power is a renewable and sustainable energy source, distinguishing it from other forms of energy like geothermal, wave, and hydroelectric power. Geothermal energy involves heat from the Earth's interior, wave power harnesses energy from ocean waves, and hydroelectric power utilizes the energy of flowing water. Each of these sources varies in its mechanisms and origins, but solar power is uniquely related to sunlight and its transformation into energy that can be used in homes and industries.