Green energy technology is the providing the hope which the world needs, that there will soon be a realistic alternative to the further depletion of fossil fuels, with all of the environmental difficulties which this will create. There is a limit to the amount of fossil fuel which the world has left to use, and even that which does remain will contribute to the production of harmful carbon dioxide gases. The change to sustainable energy sources is one which we simply have to make, and the only questions are how and when this should be done.
The most well known and easily understood of all the renewable technologies is solar power, and the potential for this method of generating electricity is virtually unlimited. Solar power alone could certainly power the entire world, although there is no reason not to use other technologies where they are favored by climatic or terrain conditions. Solar power can be implemented on virtually any scale, from the smallest home installation to the huge constructions which are possible in desert regions which experience high temperatures and long periods of clear skies. The future is likely to see a combination of these possibilities.
While solar power is the obvious choice for much of the world, there are some climates where other technologies are likely to prove cheaper and more efficient. In the northern countries which experience low levels of sunlight and cold temperatures for much of the year, but which have extensive coastlines with strong air currents, offshore wind power is likely to prove to be the most viable possibility in the long run. Wind technology is also at a primitive stage, and most wind farms are constructed on land. When this technology improves, it will be used offshore to far greater effect.
Wind and solar power represent the most important aspects of green energy technology, as they have the potential to provide the power needs of entire nations. There are other technologies which could be used in localized conditions which suit them, such as geothermal and water power. For water power to be effective, there needs to be a constant current powerful enough to turn a large turbine. Where this feature is provided by nature, water power represents on of the most cost effective ways to generate power over time. The initial construction can be expensive, but maintenance is relatively easy.
The greatest potential for renewable technology comes with the possibility of self sufficiency for many homes. As of now, solar photovoltaic panels mounted on the roof cannot produce enough electricity to power a household with average needs, but this could change in the future. There are significant developments occurring in solar panel construction, and a recent development should allow for greatly increased efficiency. An American company backed by German finance has now developed a solar panel which traps over twice as much sunlight as the panels which are currently in use. It is this type of development which will transform solar power from a dream to a sustainable reality.
To find out what is happening with green energy technology, it is useful to sign up for updates from the websites which are carrying news of these developments. Many of the most significant developments are not being reported in the mainstream media, despite the significance they could have for the future. Specialist websites are far more likely to be up to date with what is happening, but make sure you find sites which are reputable, and which are not just set up to promote one narrow self interest niche. There are many informative sites featuring green energy technology.