Natural, renewable energy sources are used in a renewable energy system. Wind, water, the sun, and geothermal heat are all examples of renewable energy sources currently in use. Rather than being created by man, these are replenished by nature. Because renewable energy systems do not emit harmful byproducts into the atmosphere, they help to protect the environment.
Wind turbines, also known as windmills, capture wind energy. Wind turbines are usually grouped together to form wind farms. Commercial users are the most common users of this type of renewable energy system. The amount of open land required for windmills is a disadvantage. Small wind turbines can be used to power individual homes in some residential areas.
Water’s energy can also be used to generate electricity. Water flows through hydroelectric power plants, spinning turbines that generate electricity. Since the late 1800s, hydroelectric power has been used in the United States.
Solar energy can be incorporated into a variety of renewable energy systems. Photovoltaic (PV) panels can convert sunlight directly into electricity. These panels are typically mounted on a building’s roof and angled to capture as much sunlight as possible during daylight hours. Solar panels can be installed in private homes or in a power plant. Concentrating solar power is another way to use solar energy (CSP). CSP uses concentrated sunlight to boil water, which generates electricity.
The heat generated by the Earth is used to generate geothermal renewable energy. Steam and hot water are produced by the heat generated by the Earth’s core. A geothermal heat pump in the ground can collect the water or steam and use it to warm a building’s interior. Heat or steam can also be used to generate electricity by spinning turbines in a power plant.
Consumers who use a renewable energy system may be eligible for incentives from local and federal governments. Some states in the United States provide low-interest loans or rebates to help cover the costs of installing a renewable energy system. Individual systems can generate more electricity than a single home requires. The extra electricity can be returned to the public grid and used by other customers. Any energy sent back to the power grid is credited to the owner of such a renewable energy system.
In different parts of the world, these systems are available and priced differently. They will become more widely available as technology makes them more reliable and well-known. The ability to mass-market renewable energy systems could also lower costs.