Solar Energy
Solar energy can be captured by solar panels. There are 2 main types of solar panels which uses complete different technologies to make use of the energy from the sun:

• Solar Water Heating collectors: These panels absorbs the energy from the sun and transfer it to heat water.
• Photovoltaic or solar electric panels: These panels transform the solar radiation directly into electricity.

For maximum efficiency, solar panels should be mounted on a south facing roof at a 30° angle with the horizontal and away from any shadows from trees, surrounding buildings or chimneys.

Wind Power
People have used the power of the wind for many years to produce mechanical power for milling grain and pumping water. In recent times wind turbine technology has enabled us to harness wind to generate electricity. The electricity is then exported either to the grid for use locally or to power a stand alone application.

This renewable source of energy has great potential in both onshore and offshore wind farms. Wind power is one of the cleanest and safest of all the renewable commercial methods of generating electricity. The UK has the largest wind resource in the whole of Europe.

Hydropower
The energy potential of moving water has been harnessed for thousands of years, originally using water wheels to drive mills and machinery. Hydropower currently produces 2% of the UK electricity needs. Whilst most of this comes from large dam projects installed many years ago, there is still an untapped small hydropower potential in certain parts of the UK.

Biomass Energy
Biomass is a collective term for all plant and animal material. A number of different forms of biomass can be burned or digested to produce energy. Examples include wood, straw, poultry litter and energy crops such as willow and poplar grown on short rotation coppice and miscanthus. Biomass is a very versatile material and can be used to produce heat (for space and water heating), electricity and a combination of heat and power (electricity). The UK has some of the largest examples of the use of Biomass to generate electricity in Europe.

Geothermal
Geothermal energy is the heat of the Earth, which can be tapped into to produce electricity in power plants, and to use its warm water for industry, agriculture, bathing and cleansing. Although in use worldwide, its potential as an energy source is not fully utilised, thus geothermal offers a real option in future environmentally-friendly energy supply.