What are the Different Types of Renewable Energy?

In case you missed it: gas prices are going up, solar panels are everywhere, and renewable energy is electric with possibility. 

In other words, there’s never been a better time to go green.

We’re seeing the biggest push for renewable energy since the 1970s oil crisis thanks to new developments in renewable technologies. But despite the buzz, we hear a lot of the same question asked:

What is renewable energy, anyways?

Put simply, renewable energy is today’s reality. It’s not some distant dream — it’s a real, current solution to problems like climate change and soaring energy bills. 

Renewable energy comes from sources that are constantly and naturally renewed, such as sunlight, wind, and water. Solar and wind are the most well-known renewable energy resources, but biomass, hydropower, and geothermal energy are also important sources of renewable energy.

Energy generated by wind and hydropower as a flow harness the power of air and water. That means either wind or water are flowing through a turbine to generate electricity.

Solar, geothermal, and biomass, on the other hand, convert heat to electricity. You’ve probably seen solar panels on buildings before, or on vast expanses of land next to the freeway. Geothermal energy comes from the heat from deep within the Earth’s core. And biomass energy can be sourced from almost anything that comes from plants or animals, including wood waste, vegetable oils, animal manure, and garbage.

Switching to renewable energy is one of the easiest ways to reduce your carbon footprint, but it can be challenging to understand just how “green” the energy you’re receiving is.

How green is green?

In theory, renewables are 100% green. They don’t hurt the environment by releasing greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere, and they aren’t reliant on fossil fuels — so no harmful drilling involved. But if you’re wondering how green renewables are in practice, the answer depends on the power mix your energy provider is using. 

Your provider might offer a range of power mixes ranging from a minimum of 50 percent renewables to 100 percent emissions-free green energy. However, it can be tough to decipher where your energy is coming from. Industry jargon and fine print get in the way of truly understanding whether your energy is 100% green. That’s where we come in. 

Ready to power your home with renewables the easy way? Right this way.