Final answer:
Plants convert solar energy into chemical energy in the form of glucose through photosynthesis, providing the foundation for life's energy needs.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of energy that is transformed into chemical energy by plants through the process of photosynthesis is solar energy. Plants absorb light energy from the sun and convert it into chemical energy in the form of glucose, which stores this energy in its chemical bonds. This biological conversion is essential for life on Earth as it provides the chemical energy necessary to fuel various life functions of both producers, like plants, and consumers, like animals through the food chain.