For plants and algae that carry on photosynthesis,light can be too much of a good thing. On a brilliant, sunny day, or a plant might only be able to utilize 20 percent or less of absorbed sunlight. The plant dissipates the excess light energy to prevent damage and oxidative stress,and a process called the xanthophyll cycle helps to flip the switch between energy dissipation and energy utilization.
Source: phys.org