1.

There are five principal renewable sources of energy: the sun, the wind, flowing water, biomass and
heat from within the earth.

Sun
Solar energy is energy that comes directly from the sun. The sun is a constant natural source of heat
and light, and its radiation can be converted to electricity.
Wind
Natural conditions of climate and geography produce the winds that blow across the landscape.
Historically, windmills were used to supply mechanical energy, for example to pump water or grind
grain. Modern day wind turbines produce electricity.
Water
Like the winds, flowing water is a product of the earths climate and geography. Snowmelt and runoff
from precipitation at higher elevations flow toward sea level in streams and rivers. In an earlier era,
water wheels used the power of flowing water to turn grinding stones and to run mechanical equipment.
Modern hydro-turbines use water power to generate hydroelectricity.
Biomass
"Biomass" describes, in one word, all plants, trees and organic matter on the earth. Biomass is a
renewable source of energy because the natural process of photosynthesis constantly produces new
organic matter in the growth of trees and plants. Photosynthesis stores the suns energy in organic
matter. Biomass is used to make heat, electricity and liquid fuels.
Earth
Heat from deep within the earth is called "geothermal energy." In some locations, geothermal energy is
close enough to the surface that, by drilling a well to reach the heat source, the energy can be extracted
and used for heating buildings and other purposes. Where the temperatures are hot enough, geothermal
energy can be used to generate electricity.

2. Sustainable development (SD) is a pattern of resource use that aims to meet human needs
while preserving the environment so that these needs can be met not only in the present, but also
for generations to come.
3. A solar cell (also called photovoltaic cell) is a solid state device that converts the energy
of sunlight directly into electricity by the photovoltaic effect. Assemblies of cells are used to
make solar modules, also known as solar panels. The energy generated from these solar
modules, referred to as solar power.

Advantages
Electricity produced by solar cells is clean and silent. Because they do not use fuel
other than sunshine, PV systems do not release any harmful air or water pollution
into the environment, deplete natural resources, or endanger animal or human
health.
Photovoltaic systems are quiet and visually unobtrusive.
Small-scale solar plants can take advantage of unused space on rooftops of existing
buildings.
PV cells were originally developed for use in space, where repair is extremely
expensive, if not impossible. PV still powers nearly every satellite circling the earth
because it operates reliably for long periods of time with virtually no maintenance.

 Solar energy is a locally available renewable resource. It does not need to be

imported from other regions of the country or across the world. This reduces
environmental impacts associated with transportation and also reduces our
dependence on imported oil. And, unlike fuels that are mined and harvested, when
we use solar energy to produce electricity we do not deplete or alter the resource.
A PV system can be constructed to any size based on energy requirements.
Furthermore, the owner of a PV system can enlarge or move it if his or her energy
needs change. For instance, homeowners can add modules every few years as
their energy usage and financial resources grow. Ranchers can use mobile trailermounted pumping systems to water cattle as the cattle are rotated to different
fields.

Disadvantages
Some toxic chemicals, like cadmium and arsenic, are used in the PV production
process. These environmental impacts are minor and can be easily controlled
through recycling and proper disposal.
Solar energy is somewhat more expensive to produce than conventional sources of
energy due in part to the cost of manufacturing PV devices and in part to the
conversion efficiencies of the equipment. As the conversion efficiencies continue to
increase and the manufacturing costs continue to come down, PV will become
increasingly cost competitive with conventional fuels.
Solar power is a variable energy source, with energy production dependent on the
sun. Solar facilities may produce no power at all some of the time, which could
lead to an energy shortage if too much of a region's power comes from solar
power.

4. TIDAL ENERGY Tidal barrages can change the tidal level in the basin and increase
turbidity in the water. They can also affect navigation and recreation. Potentially the
largest disadvantage of tidal power is the effect a tidal station can have on plants and
animals in the estuaries.
Tidal fences can also harness the energy of tides. A tidal fence has vertical axis turbines
mounted in a fence. All the water that passes is forced through the turbines. They can be
used in areas such as channels between two landmasses.
Tidal turbines are a new technology that can be used in many tidal areas. They are basically wind
turbines that can be located anywhere there is strong tidal flow. Because water is about 800 times denser
than air, tidal turbines will have to be much sturdier than wind turbines. They will be heavier and more
expensive to build but will be able to capture more energy.

WAVE ENERGY One way to harness wave energy is to bend or focus the waves into a
narrow channel, increasing their power and size. The waves can then be channeled into
a catch basin or used directly to spin turbines.