When fossils were first used as fuel, the limitations were not noticed immediately. As people realized that fossil fuels would not be around forever, newer resources of energy were explored. Renewable sources of energy have been extensively researched and used in the past few decades as these resources are eco-friendly and sustainable. More and more energy and utilities companies are moving towards this sector.
In addition to the depleting reserves of non-renewable resources like fossils, renewable energy is gaining popularity due to climate changes, increased commercialization and governmental support. The ever increasing prices of oil, petrol and other fuels are also encouraging many to switch to renewable energies.
Natural resources like wind, sunlight, geothermal heat, rain and tides are considered to be renewable as they naturally replenish themselves. Instead of coal, these renewable energy resources are mainly used to generate electricity. While biomass is the most common, several parts of the world utilize sunlight, winds, biofuels and hydro power to generate energy. Some of the emerging technologies in renewable energy include ocean thermal energy, artificial photosynthesis and cellulosic ethanol.
A major advantage of renewable sources of energy is that they are much cleaner than fossils. They do not emit harmful chemicals and keep carbon footprint to a minimum. With the increasing levels of pollution on the planet, cleaner sources of energy are the need of the hour. Installing solar powered heaters and appliances also help reduce your electricity bills and overall costs in the long run. Despite demanding relatively higher prices during installation, the long term benefits far outweigh the initial investment. | 
