Solar radiation is the source of energy for virtually all life on Earth. Three basic kinds of radiation flow from our sun. The most familiar radiation is visible light, which arrives in small energy bundles called photons. Visible light powers photosynthesis, which supports virtually all life on earth. In the process called photo-synthesis, chloroplasts plus Light plus Water plus Carbon Dioxide convert light energy into packaged sun energy called Food, in the form of carbohydrates.
Food is chemical energy.
Infra-red radiation is invisible to us, and we experience it as heat. Infra-red radiation energy powers the water cycle, the winds, and the ocean currents. All lives on earth depend on solar heating for water and warmth. About 60 percent of the Sun's rays are infrared. Ultra-violet radiation is the third kind, also invisible to us.