Colorado Reader
AG IN THE CLASSROOM—HELPING THE NEXT GENERATION UNDERSTAND THEIR CONNECTION TO AGRICULTURE
COLORADO FOUNDATION FOR AGRICULTURE ~ WWW.GROWINGYOURFUTURE.COM
All About Renewable Energy
R
enewable energy is power that is generated by renewable resources, such as solar energy, wind
energy, hydropower, geothermal energy and biomass. Renewable resources are replaced—or
renewed—naturally on an on-going basis. Nonrenewable resources, which include oil, coal and
natural gas, are replaced very slowly or not at all. In the United States, 8% of the energy we use comes
from renewable resources.
Solar energy is generated
when the sun’s rays beam
through tiny cells on a solar
panel. Wind energy is created
through the movement of a
spinning wind turbine. Hydro-
power is produced when the
movement of falling water
causes blades inside special
turbines to spin. Geothermal
energy is generated from the
earth’s heat. Biomass is
energy that comes from living
organisms, such as wood,
animal manure and crops.
Get ready to learn lots of fun
and interesting facts about
renewable energy!
www.growingyourfuture.com
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