A wide variety of renewable energy technologies can harness the sun’s light, wind’s breezes and the heat stored in Earth’s oceans and geothermal systems. These renewables are often referred to as “clean” or “green” energy because they don’t generate air pollutants such as carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.

Fossil fuels are woven into the fabric of our economy, but the burning of these fossil fuels contributes to climate change and causes environmental problems like air pollution. Relying on renewable energy instead of fossil fuels helps to tackle climate change, protects our health and boosts economies.

Compared to other power sources, renewables have lower capital costs and minimal operating expenses. This makes them a cost-competitive option and enables them to deliver electricity at the lowest possible price. In fact, solar and wind energy are now the lowest-cost sources of new power generation in many parts of the country.

Energy storage paired with renewables can smooth out their variability over the course of a day or multiple days and improve their ability to meet electricity demand. Transmission lines can also help to connect areas endowed with abundant renewable resources with areas of high electricity demand, reducing the need for large, centralized power plants that increase cost and risk.

The growth of renewables and enabling technologies is creating jobs, making electric grids more resilient and expanding access to energy in developing countries. These economic benefits, along with their ability to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, are driving a renewable energy renaissance.