'energy-positive' originates from modern English, formed from the noun 'energy' and the adjective 'positive', where 'energy' ultimately comes from the Greek word 'energeia' meaning 'activity, operation' and 'positive' comes from Latin 'positivus' (via Old French) meaning 'placed/definite'.

'energy' entered English via Latin/Old French from Greek 'energeia'; 'positive' entered English via Latin 'positivus' and Old French 'positif'. The compound 'energy-positive' is a recent formation in contemporary English, created to describe systems with a net positive energy balance.

Initially the component words referred to 'activity/operation' (energy) and 'placed/definite' (positive); over time the compound evolved to mean 'producing more energy than is consumed' in contexts such as buildings and energy systems.