Solar-Powered: Meaning, Examples & Usage

Meaning 1：powered by the sun (solar-powered)

solar-powered 🔊

/ˈsoʊlər ˈpaʊərd/

adj.

It means something that gets its energy from the sun, like a calculator or a light.

Solar-powered panel charging a smartphone on a wooden table in sunlight

➕

/ˈpaʊərd baɪ ðə sʌn/

adj.

Describes a device or system that converts sunlight directly into usable energy, typically electricity, without relying on fossil fuels.

📁 Category：Technological Inventions 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

solar (Latin 'sol' = sun) + powered (Latin 'potere' = to be able).

💡 Mnemonic

Imagine a solar panel drinking sunlight like a thirsty camel.

📖 Example

Our garden lights are solar-powered, so they turn on automatically at night after charging in the sun all day. 🔊 Our garden lights are solar-powered, so they turn on automatically at night after charging in the sun all day.

🔗 Collocations

solar-powered calculator – a calculator that operates using energy from the sun

solar-powered street light – a street lamp that stores solar energy during the day to illuminate at night

solar-powered water pump – a pump that draws its energy from sunlight to move water

🔄 Synonyms

sun-powered (adj.) – Powered by the sun; synonymous with solar-powered.

photovoltaic (adj.) – Relating to the direct conversion of sunlight into electricity, often used for solar panels.

solar-driven (adj.) – Driven or operated by solar energy.

🚫 Antonyms

grid-powered (adj.) – Relies on the main electrical grid rather than solar energy.

battery-operated (adj.) – Uses stored chemical energy in batteries, not direct sunlight.

fuel-based (adj.) – Depends on combustible fuels (like gasoline or coal) for energy.

🌱 Derivatives

solar power (n.) – Energy derived from the sun's radiation.

solar panel (n.) – A device that converts sunlight into electricity.

power (v./n.) – To supply energy or the capacity to do work.

📖 Cultural Story

The term gained prominence with the rise of solar energy technology in the 20th century, especially after the invention of the photovoltaic cell in 1954. It is now a key term in renewable energy discussions.