A more feasible alternative to petroleum, coal, and nuclear reactors in developing countries is the direct and indirect use of solar energy, which is renewable, abundant, decentralized and non-polluting. Each day, the sun sends to earth many thousands of times more energy than we attain from other sources (the equivalent of 200 times the energy Many renewable sources of energy come under the category of alternative sources or non-conventional sources of energy. For example, solar energy, wind energy, wave energy, and geothermal energy. Learn Exam Concepts on Embibe. Types of Alternative Sources of Energy. The types of alternative sources of energy are explained below: Wind Energy Examples of non-conventional sources of energy include solar energy, bioenergy, tidal energy and wind energy. Solar Energy Solar Energy is produced by sunlight. The photovoltaic cells are exposed to sunlight based on the form of electricity that needs to be produced. The energy is utilized for cooking and distillation of water. Wind Energy Depending on the type of source it is derived from, energy can be defined into two types as conventional energy and non-conventional energy. Conventional Sources of Energy. Conventional sources of energy are those energies that have been predominantly in use for the better part of civilization. They are non-renewable in nature, meaning that • Renewable and Non-Renewable energy • Conventional and Non-conventional energy 1.1 Primary and Secondary Energy Primary energy sources are those that are either found or stored in nature. Common primary energy sources are coal, oil, natural gas, and biomass (such as wood). Other primary energy Fig1.1. Major Primary and Secondary sources Renewable energy sources, often known as non-conventional energy, are sources that are renewed by natural processes on a continual basis. Solar energy, wind energy, bio-energy (bio-fuels cultivated sustainably), hydropower, and other sustainable energy sources are some examples. There are numerous sources of energy. It can be chemical energy, electrical energy, heat/ thermal energy, mechanical energy, nuclear energy and energy in the form of electromagnetic radiation i.e. light. Sources of energy contain energy in them if forms that cannot be used directly but living organisms require energy to stay alive. Furthermore, these energy sources do not pollute the environment and natural surroundings and require less expenditure. A few examples of non-conventional sources of energy include wind energy, tidal energy, solar energy, geothermal energy, and biomass energy. 14.2 CONVENTIONAL SOURCES OF ENERGY 14.2.1 Fossil Fuels In ancient times, wood was the most common source of heat energy. The energy of flowing water and wind was also used for limited activities. Can you think of some of these uses? The exploitation of coal as a source of energy made the industrial revolution possible. Increasing Renewable and Non-Renewableenergy Conventional and Non-conventionalenergy 1.1 Primary and SecondaryEnergy Fig1.1. Major Primary and Secondary sources Primary energy sources are those that are either found or stored in nature. Common primary energy sources are coal, oil, natural gas, and biomass (such as wood). the Non-conventional sources of energy are available in plenty, free of cost and pollution free. So it's the time to think for switching on to the Non-con