Gassblusset virker uten solcellestrømmen.

Gassblusset is the definite singular form of et gassbluss.

• gassbluss = gas burner / gas ring
• -et = the definite ending for many neuter nouns

So:

• et gassbluss = a gas burner
• gassblusset = the gas burner

Norwegian usually adds the as an ending instead of using a separate word.

Here, virker means works, functions, or operates.

The verb is å virke, which can have several meanings in Norwegian, including:

• to work / function
• to have an effect
• sometimes to seem in other contexts

In this sentence, it clearly means functions/operates.

A close alternative would be:

• Gassblusset fungerer uten solcellestrømmen.

That would mean almost the same thing.

Yes, å virke can also mean to seem.

For example:

• Det virker rart. = It seems strange.
• Han virker trøtt. = He seems tired.

But in Gassblusset virker uten solcellestrømmen, the subject is a physical object, gassblusset, and the phrase uten solcellestrømmen describes the conditions under which it works. That makes works/functions the natural meaning here, not seems.

Because Norwegian makes compound nouns very freely.

Solcellestrømmen can be broken down like this:

• solcelle = solar cell
• strøm = electricity / power
• -men = definite ending for strømmen = the power / the electricity

So the whole word means something like:

• the solar-cell power
• the solar power supply

English would usually write this as more than one word, but Norwegian often writes it as a single compound.

This is a very good question, because the definite form matters.

• solcellestrøm = solar power, in a general sense
• solcellestrømmen = the solar power, meaning a specific power source already known in the context

So uten solcellestrømmen suggests something like:

• without that solar power supply
• without the solar-generated electricity

If you mean solar power in general, uten solcellestrøm may sound more natural.

So the sentence is grammatical, but the definite form makes it sound more context-specific.

Uten means without.

It is a preposition, and it works much like English without:

• uten strøm = without electricity
• uten vann = without water
• uten hjelp = without help

So:

• uten solcellestrømmen = without the solar power

Modern Norwegian does not change the noun after uten the way some languages do with case endings.

Because Norwegian usually puts the definite article at the end of the noun.

That is why you get:

• gassblusset = the gas burner
• solcellestrømmen = the solar power

Compare:

• et gassbluss = a gas burner

• gassblusset = the gas burner

• en strøm is not normally used in this meaning
• strømmen = the power / the electricity

So English uses a separate word, but Norwegian often uses an ending.

No, this is normal Norwegian main-clause word order:

• Gassblusset = subject
• virker = verb
• uten solcellestrømmen = prepositional phrase

So it follows the common pattern:

• Subject + verb + other information

Norwegian is a verb-second language, which means the finite verb normally comes in the second position in main clauses. Since the subject comes first here, the sentence looks very straightforward.

If you move the prepositional phrase to the front, the verb still stays second:

• Uten solcellestrømmen virker gassblusset.

It is grammatical, but whether it sounds fully natural depends on the context.

What may sound slightly marked is solcellestrømmen in the definite form. That makes it sound like a specific known solar-power supply, not solar power in general.

So:

• Gassblusset virker uten solcellestrømmen.
  = natural if both speaker and listener already know which solar power source is being talked about

But if the meaning is more general, many speakers might prefer:

• Gassblusset virker uten solcellestrøm.
• Gassblusset virker selv uten solcellestrøm.

Adding selv can make the meaning even without solar power clearer.

A rough pronunciation guide might be:

GAHSS-bloos-set VIR-ker OO-ten SOHL-sell-eh-struhm-men

A few notes:

• gass has a short vowel and a clear ss
• blusset has stress on the first syllable: BLUSS-et
• virker usually has stress on vir-
• uten is typically pronounced with stress on the first syllable
• strøm has the Norwegian vowel ø, which does not exist in standard English

A more Norwegian-like rhythm would stress these parts most:

GASSblusset VIRker uten SOLcelleSTRØMMEN

The exact pronunciation of r can vary by dialect.