Renewable Energy

Solar energy is the most productive of all energy sources and can be used even in cloudy weather. The rate at which solar energy is absorbed by the earth is about 10,000 times faster than the rate at which humans consume it. Solar technology can provide heat, cooling, natural light, power, and fuel for a variety of uses. Photovoltaic technology converts sunlight into electrical energy through photovoltaic panels or mirrors that concentrate solar radiation. Not all countries are equally blessed with solar energy, but all have the potential for direct solar energy to contribute significantly to the energy mix. The cost of manufacturing solar panels has dropped dramatically over the last decade, making them not only affordable, but often the cheapest form of electricity. Solar panels have been around for about 30 years and come in a variety of shades depending on the type of materials used.

Hydropower harnesses the energy of water moving from highlands to lowlands. Obtained from reservoirs and rivers. Reservoir hydropower plants rely on water stored in a reservoir, while run-of-river hydropower plants draw energy from the available river flow. Hydroelectric reservoirs often have multiple uses, including drinking water, irrigation water supply, flood and drought control, navigation services, and power supply. Hydropower is currently the largest renewable energy source in the power sector. It is based on generally stable precipitation patterns that can be adversely affected by climate-related droughts and ecosystem changes that affect precipitation patterns. The infrastructure required for hydropower can also have negative effects on ecosystems. For this reason, many consider small-scale hydropower to be more environmentally friendly and particularly suitable for remote communities.

Geothermal energy extracts heat from the ground and can be used directly for heating and cooling or converted to electricity. However, power generation requires medium or high temperature resources. These are usually located near areas of active crustal activity where hot water and steam are carried to the surface, or are accessible at shallow depths. The main advantages of geothermal energy are its low cost and the ability to operate at high capacity factors throughout the year. In this way, fixed demand power and supplementary services can be provided to the power grid, with the right incentives. These properties will become more valuable as solar and wind energy become more prevalent.