Energy from the Sun

Bhoomi and Surya help Ajji dry chillies in the Sun. The Sun's heat dries them, so the family can use dried chillies when fresh ones are not available. People also dry raw mangoes and clothes in the hot Sun.

Ajji says the Sun is the main source of energy on Earth, and all plants and animals depend on it. The Sun gives every living being heat and light. Plants use sunlight to make their food; animals eat plants and grow; and we get food from both plants and animals.

A cow is grazing near Ajji's house. Where does it get its energy? Not from standing in the Sun! The cow eats grass, and grass needs sunlight to grow. So the cow gets the Sun's energy through the grass. A tiger that eats a deer, which ate grass, gets that same energy one step further on.

We use the Sun's energy in other ways too:

• Solar panels (on rooftops, street lights and traffic signals) capture the Sun's energy and produce electricity.
• A solar cooker cooks food, and a solar water heater heats water, using the Sun's energy directly.