Solar energy is energy that is created directly from the Sun. The Sun's rays are the energy we collect using solar panels (pictured left). Solar panels can turn the sunlight into electricity in photovoltaic cells, or the sunlight can heat up water that circulates in pipes inside glass boxes. In the latter case, the water in those pipes goes to the hot-water tank in your house so you can take a hot shower or bath, or run your dishwasher or washing machine. Sunlight is radiant energy because the sun's rays are streams of light. It is kinetic energy because the only reason we see that light is because it travels. If it has motion, then it's kinetic. Solar energy is renewable because as long as the sun exists, we will be able to get solar energy. Solar energy is good because it is clean and renewable. The problem with solar power is when the sunlight is blocked by clouds or at night, the solar panels don't work and you won't continue to get energy.
This is an example of an energy transformation using solar energy (pictured left). First, the sunlight hits the solar panel, which transforms radiant energy into electrical energy. Next, the energy goes to a battery, where the energy is stored (chemical energy). When needed, the electricity goes through your house in wires and lets you turn on a light. When you turn on the light, electrical energy is being converted back to radiant energy. That is an example of a solar energy transformation.