What is Renewable Energy?

Renewable Energy as the name implies is an energy that can be renewed. According to the official U.S Energy Information and Administration, Renewable Energy is:

Renewable energy is energy from sources that are naturally replenishing but flow-limited; renewable resources are virtually inexhaustible in duration but limited in the amount of energy that is available per unit of time.

The above definition alone describes the source of renewable energy which is identified as ‘natural’ and also shows that renewable energy has the ability to replenish itself. So we can say that renewable energy, unlike other sources of energy is inexhaustible.

Common sources of renewable Energy:

There are many sources of renewable energy but the most common source is:

1. Solar
2. Wind (Also a type of solar)
3. Hydro
4. Geothermal
5. Biomass.

In this course, we are going to focus on solar as a source of renewable energy.

Before we round up in the first lesson, use the next 3:16 minutes to watch an introduction to Renewable Energy by National Geographic.