Renewable Energy Guide

Clean, sustainable energy is quickly becoming an important global issue.  Not only will it reduce global warming pollution, but it can create millions of jobs around the world.  Solar, wind, geothermal, and hydroelectric power make up over 16% of our global energy needs.  Renewable technologies are also great for private, off-grid applications.  Right now, you can get involved by shopping for your own sustainable goods and clean energy producing items.  Our guide will show you how!

Solar Panels and Wind Power

Solar panels can be installed in a wide range of places: they're not just for your roof anymore.  Browse through our Solar Panels and Wind Energy Guide to find solar powered backpacks  that can keep your mobile devices running for days.  Garden lights, trash compactors,  and even cars can be powered by the sun.  There is also a wide variety of roof mounted solar panels  that can power your entire home.  Wind power is another great way to reduce your carbon footprint.  Small, personal wind turbines  can be installed on your own property: these will help reduce your energy bill and actually put more power into the grid.  Not only will you be saving money, but you will also be providing clean energy for everyone to use.

Quick Facts

• Modern wind turbines put out 600 kW to 5 MW of electric power.
• Offshore wind strength is 90% greater than that found on land.  This is a relatively untapped resource.
• Solar panels  are not just used to generate electricity.  They can also be used to heat water or air.
• The sun's energy can be used to heat food via solar ovens.  
• Topaz Solar Farm is a proposed power plant northwest of California Valley that will create 550 MW of power, about 10 times the current largest solar farm.  The project is expected to begin in 2010, start delivering electricity in 2011, and be fully operational by 2013.

Hydro Power

Water power has been used for centuries: hydro power was used to mechanically operate textile machines and sawmills among other things. Modern day hydroelectricity is the world's most popular source of renewable energy.  There are several forms of water power currently in use.

• Hydroelectric dams  are the most typical form of modern water power.  The largest is the Three Gorges Damn on the Yangtze River in China.
• Tidal power  converts the energy of the waves into electric power.  This is not yet widely used, but tides are actually more predictable than wind or solar.

Geothermal Power

Geothermal power has been used for space heating and bathing for centuries.  This is basically the process of extracting the heat stored underneath the earth's surface.  The largest group of geothermal plants is located at The Geysers in California. 

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