What percent of the sun's energy do plants use?

For photosynthesis, plants use approximately 0.023 percent of sunlight energy. This is a very small percentage that plants need to make food when compared to the water cycle’s use of solar energy, which is 23 percent.

Through the photosynthesis process, sunlight is used to convert carbon dioxide and water into a carbohydrate (glucose) and oxygen. The process involves the conversion of solar energy to chemical energy. The production of glucose aids in the growth of plant cells.

Photosynthesis occurs in the chloroplasts of plant leaves that absorb the sunlight. However, there are many other plant cell structures, such as cytoplasm and chlorophyll, that also are necessary for the photosynthesis process.