Solar energy, derived directly from the sun using various technologies, such as solar panels and solar heaters, is utilized for lighting, heating and to produce electricity in homes, offices and industries. Photovoltaic systems harvest the power of the sun and convert it to electricity while solar hot water systems utilize the heating capability of the sun to heat water for domestic and industrial use. Solar energy can also be utilized through passive means for cooling systems, lighting and heating, which is an efficient clean energy application.
Bioenergy is produced from dead organic materials from plants and animals also known as biomass, which is yet another non-convectional energy source. Animal manure, crops and alcohol fuels are examples of the organic materials that produce bio-energy. Biomass fuels do not produce greenhouse gases that harm the environment and are therefore preferred over fossil fuels, which produce carbon dioxide and other harmful gases.
Wind power is harvested with wind turbines that convert mechanical energy into electricity for domestic and industrial use. It can complement solar energy to power the same systems when there is no sunlight since wind tends to blow when there is no sunshine. Windmills utilize wind power for grinding cereal and seeds or in pumping water from wells.
The rising and falling of tides are influenced by gravitational interactions between the sun, the moon and the earth. Tidal energy is produced in the form of electricity, using large turbines installed underwater that are compelled to rotate because of the pressure exerted by tides at sea. The turbines are able to generate power during both the rising and falling of the tides and have a huge potential for the future since their source is the most abundant substance on earth: water in oceans and seas.