It’s no secret that electricity and power are incredibly important in our world today; in fact, most of us can’t complete our daily tasks, feed ourselves, or practice basic hygiene without them. You probably already know that electricity isn’t cheap, but you might not know much about different energy sources. While many of the power sources we use aren’t renewable, sustainability is becoming more important—check out these five main sources of renewable energy.

Solar Energy

Solar energy is one of the most abundant and available energy sources in the world, as we can even receive or collect it on cloudy days. Solar power systems can convert sunlight into usable electricity, whether you need it for heating, cooling, or lighting. In most cases, solar energy systems use strategically placed mirrors or photovoltaic panels to harness power from the sun. Solar panels are relatively affordable today, and knowing a few tips to maximize solar panel efficiency ensures they’ll work for your household.

Hydro Energy

Hydro energy comes from water moving from higher to lower elevations, like a waterfall. Interestingly, reservoirs and rivers are common sources of hydropower, as they have multiple uses, from drinking water to energy supplies. Even though hydro energy is a substantial source, it relies on rainfall patterns and other climate factors to work efficiently.

Biomass Energy

Biomass energy converts organic materials, like charcoal, wood, plants, manure, and more, into electricity. In fact, those in rural areas or developing countries use biomass energy for cooking, heating, and lighting. Even though biomass energy creates some greenhouse gas emissions from burning organic matter, it’s not nearly as harmful or substantial as burning fossil fuels. That said, biomass energy is best for limited use and application.

Wind Energy

Wind energy comes from moving air through the use of large wind turbines. Some of these turbines are on land or in the water, and wind energy concepts continue to advance toward greater efficiency. As they become larger and taller, the wind turbines produce more electricity. While different locations experience variable wind speeds, wind energy is an excellent consideration for many areas, especially remote locations.

Geothermal Energy

Geothermal energy involves accessing heat from the earth’s interior through geothermal reservoirs using wells and steam turbines. Basically, some areas or hot spots around the world are naturally boiling underneath the earth’s crust. The water turns into steam as it reaches the surface, fueling the steam turbine. As a result, the turbine produces power.

Now that you know the five main sources of renewable energy, you can get on board with new ways of powering life as we know it. In most places, people still depend on non-renewable energy; however, the future depends on using various methods of generating electricity.

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