As we all know, the Sun is the single greatest source of power, heat and energy to the earth. With a surface temperature of 27 million degree Celsius. The radiation emitted by the Sun spreads to a wide range and a part of that radiation falls on the earth that rotates around the Sun.
All the radiations do not reach the surface of the earth; the solar power that we receive at the equator point is calculated to be 800W/m2. The solar radiation has the infrared frequencies that provide heat and visible radiations that provide the light.
Large power stations and the communities in isolated areas make use of this solar energy by setting up photovoltaic cell – assemblies and panels for creating energy. In large power plants like thermal stations, the heat for industrial purpose is supplemented by installing very large solar concentrators.
The energy that we derive this way from the Sun is inexhaustible and is totally pollution-free unlike what we get from other sources.
Wind Power As Renewable Energy Source
From the very early days, our forefathers have been depending on windmills for pumping water for irrigation and other purposes and also for grinding grains. Windmill energy is considered as cheapest forms of energy that we now exploit from nature.
The usage of wind energy is widely in use in countries like Holland, the three bladed windmills produce electricity through the turbines connected to generators. Normally they are to be installed in large numbers in a vast area.
The ideal locations for windmills are mostly the remote localities farther from cities and industries. The wind is formed in the nature when the heat from the sun passes through the uneven atmosphere of the earth. Wind is a potential source of renewable energy, when we exploit it properly.
Tidal Power As Renewable Energy Source
As we all know, the tidal waves are formed in the oceans, when the gravitational forces act between the Earth, Sun and the Moon while the earth rotates. When the gravitational forces from these planets act on waters in the oceans, a large volume of water moves in and out of estuaries forming tides which can be converted into energy.
Even in the old days the people of Europe and USA had used tide mills for various purposes. Unlike the solar and wind energy, the tidal energy is predictable and very much dependable. This is a source from which plenty of energy can be generated by tying up with large power systems.
A large number of power plants are operated in several parts of the world by taming tidal power with the advanced technological potentials. It is a recognized fact that the tidal power is a form of unpolluted and inexhaustible renewable energy, with vast potentials for generating the electricity.
Biomass As Renewable Energy
Another potential source of energy is the energy derivable by burning the biomass. The solar energy is stored in the form of carbohydrates in bio mass. It can also be converted into bio fuel and combustible gases. Many natural plants are suitable for this purpose. However during this process, the problem of release of carbon dioxide to the nature may arise.
For large scale production of bio mass several precautions are necessary, as we will have to compromise with our farmlands that produce food crops.