Although some energy sources boast more advantages than others, there isn't actually one best type of renewable energy. So is that the end of the article already? No, because what the world needs to do is to transition to a mix of renewable energy sources.
This is because renewable energy sources aren't capable of producing a constant output, like fossil fuels are.
The sun isn't always shining and the wind isn't always blowing, so the ideal situation is to have the infrastructure to support many different types of renewable energy, all working in tandem.
And of course, the key benefit to renewable energy is moving away from the high carbon emissions produced by fossil fuels, which is the leading cause of climate change.
So, even though we've not committed to choosing one source of renewable energy as the best, here are our top picks.
Summary
While there is no objective choice for the 'best' renewable energy source, it's important to note that the world needs to transition to using a mix of them all.
The most important thing is that we move towards a fully renewable world and away from fossil fuels quickly, as continuing to burn gas and oil will only accelerate the impact of climate change.
Which renewable energy is best for the UK?
Offshore and onshore wind are the best sources of renewable energy for the UK because it's a very breezy country - especially in certain areas, like Scotland. It already accounts for over a quarter of our energy generation, and it's been proven that wind could power the entire country if enough turbines were built.
In fact, we'd only need around 7,000 large wind turbines to provide electricity for every UK household.
What is the fastest growing renewable energy source in the UK?
Solar power is the fastest growing source of renewable energy in the UK, going from 3,000 installations per month in 2016, to over 15,000 (MCS, 2023) a month in 2023.
Plus, this growth has come after the deployment of solar power slowed when subsidies, such as the Feed-In Tariff, ended.
What renewable energy source releases the least emissions?
Wind power is currently the cleanest form of renewable energy because it takes the least amount of refining and processing of materials compared to other sources, such as solar power.
Advancements in technology have meant wind turbines are more durable than they were in the past, and their lifespan has continued to increase. Most modern wind turbines can be expected to continue producing green electricity for 25 years or more.
