How does the sun's energy most directly influence precipitation in an area?

The sun's energy influences climate in various ways. For example the latitudes at the equator receive more energy from the sun and therefore have warmer temperatures, On the other hand the sun's energy influences precipitation in a climate by driving the water cycle which determines precipitation. The sun is what makes the water cycle take place. That is the sun provides energy or heat to the earth; the heat causes liquid and frozen water to evaporate into water vapor gas, which rises high in the sky to form clouds (precipitation), that in turn give us rain