Understanding Renewable Energy Sources Articles | Renewable Energy

By: Darren Williger

Most parts of the world make use of fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas and oil at the moment for all their energy needs. These sources of fuel are considered nonrenewable because the society tends to use them faster than they can be renewed.

Nonrenewable energy sources make up about 90% of the energy that is currently being used today. These sources of fuel are constantly being depleted and since they are known to have adverse effects on air quality they cause human as well as environmental problems. A greater emphasis is currently being placed on renewable energy sources in order to get energy. Most renewable energy sources that we have consist of solar, hydro, geothermal and the ocean energy sources. These sources of energy never become exhausted and they are friendly to the environment as they do not add to greenhouse effects or cause global warming.

Solar energy is one of the most readily available sources of energy. The energy of the sun has been used as a source of energy for billions of years. Prehistoric men magnified the strength of the sun in order to create fire. Nowadays you have solar panels which absorb energy in order from the sun to produce heat for cooking as well as heating and also for electrical needs. Heat absorption is stored for use later on and is an indirect conversion of such energy. Electric companies are currently trying to use photovoltaic technologies in order to convert solar energy directly into electricity.