Green Energy

Learn more about green energy sources with SaveOnEnergy.

Last updated 03/06/2024

Buildings with solar panels 2D flat vector concept for banner, website, illustration, landing page, flyer, etc CreativaImages/iStock/Getty images

Why trust SaveOnEnergy?

Learn More

At SaveOnEnergy, we work to offer accurate information with editorial integrity.Our partners do not direct our editorial content, though we may reference their products in our posts. Read more about how we make money.

What is green energy?

Green energy is electricity with significantly less carbon dioxide emissions than fossil fuels. Sources that cause little-to-no impact on the world’s carbon footprint are considered green. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, green electricity sources include:

The term “green” refers to the environmentally sustainable nature of these energy sources since they help reduce reliance on fossil fuels and mitigate climate change.

More Americans are turning to green energy companies and green energy plans to help the environment. In addition, with President Biden’s current initiatives to achieve carbon pollution-free electricity by 2035, the push toward sustainable solutions is at an all-time high.

Most scientists agree that the world is warming due to carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels for energy, transportation, heating, and industrial use. Despite global warming concerns, the U.S. ranks second in installed renewable energy worldwide, according to Statista. In the U.S., Texas, California, and Washington are among the top five green-energy-producing states. These states have a strong command of renewable energy, particularly in wind and solar generation.

Green energy vs. renewable energy vs. conventional energy sources

While green and renewable energy are often used interchangeably, they are not the same. All green electricity sources are renewable, but certain renewable energy sources are not green. For example, burning wood to produce electricity generates carbon dioxide, raising questions about its “greenness” despite being renewable.

Similar arguments can be made about other green energy sources. Solar and wind energy are often considered the best renewable energy. However, both aren’t necessarily green. Solar panel materials and manufacturing produce waste. Wind turbine blades can stay in landfills long after they’ve been used. Hydropower can also damage the environment by destroying habitats.

However, all renewable energy sources, including biomass, can reduce our dependence on the conventional power supply of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas. Conventional energy sources are non-renewable and deplete over time.

Pros and cons of green energy

Although green energy is beneficial to the environment, it has some caveats. The following list highlights some pros and cons of green energy.

Pros	Cons
Low or zero emissions and pollution with a positive impact on climate change.	Solar and wind energy can be intermittent, meaning they don’t produce power constantly.
Solar, wind, and hydropower are renewable.	The upfront costs of installing renewable energy technologies like solar panels or wind turbines can be high.
Using green energy reduces reliance on imported fossil fuels, improves energy independence, and provides more supply and price stability.	Large-scale renewable energy projects may need large areas of land, potentially leading to wildlife habitat disruptions and land use conflicts.
Solar and wind power can lead to long-term cost savings as they have lower operating costs and maintenance than fossil fuel-based power plants.	Storing green energy from solar panels for use during times of low production, for example, can be costly.

How is clean energy different from green energy?

The terms clean energy and green energy are similar — they both aim to reduce harm to the environment. However, they have distinct meanings. Clean energy is a broader term that covers energy sources with minimal pollution and carbon emissions when generating electricity, such as nuclear power.

Green energy falls under the umbrella of clean energy but refers to renewable sources that are natural, self-replenishing, and unlimited. While all green energy is clean, not all clean energy is necessarily green. For example, nuclear power is not categorized as green due to concerns about radioactive waste disposal and environmental and public health risks.

Electricity generation in the U.S. comes from a mix of clean, green, and conventional energy sources.

U.S. Electricity Generation by Deborah Foley

Here are examples of green energy sources and how they work.

Geothermal energy

Geothermal energy uses hot water and steam from underground reservoirs, sometimes even reaching the Earth’s magma. Green electricity providers and power plants use this heat and steam to spin a turbine and produce electricity.

The U.S. leads the world in producing alternative electricity from geothermal energy. California, Nevada and Utah are among the top geothermal energy producers, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA). Texas also holds a significant untapped geothermal potential. Billions of barrels of water, as hot as up to 200 degrees Fahrenheit, are produced annually alongside crude oil and natural gas, presenting a valuable opportunity for geothermal generation.

Solar energy

Solar energy is a small but growing part of the U.S. energy mix. It accounted for 3.9% of the electricity produced in 2023, according to the most recent EIA data. While more and more solar panels are appearing on rooftops or large solar farms, mostly in rural areas, few people understand how they work, what the costs are, and how to benefit from incentives.

Solar panels act as semiconductors with positive and negative layers. A conductor connects both layers of an electric circuit and turns electrons from sunlight into electricity. A solar inverter then converts direct current electricity into alternating current energy for residential use.

California, Texas, and Florida were the top solar-producing states in 2023 at 27.7%, 5.5%, and 6.4%, respectively.

Wind energy

Wind power generation has been steadily increasing over the past several decades. In 2022, wind turbines contributed to around 10.3% of all U.S. utility-scale electricity generation. Texas, Iowa and Oklahoma lead the wind energy production. In 2022, Texas was responsible for 26% of all U.S. wind-based electricity generation.

Here’s how wind produces electricity: Wind makes turbine blades spin, causing a rotor inside to turn. The rotor is connected to a generator, converting the rotor motion into electricity, which is then transmitted through power lines to homes and businesses.

Hydro energy

Hydroelectric projects provide about 6% of the country’s electricity. Washington, Oregon, and California are the three top hydropower-producing states. However, according to the EIA, hydropower fell by as much as 14% in 2021 due to droughts across California and the Pacific Northwest.

Dams are an important part of this green energy source. They help hydroelectric plants direct water through turbines, feeding generators that turn the water’s kinetic energy into electricity.

Biomass energy

Biomass is organic material from plants and animals. It can be burned directly or converted into liquid or gas biofuels. Examples of biomass energy include wood, agricultural crops, aquatic plants, and waste. Biomass contributes about 1.1% to the country’s total energy mix. California, Georgia, and Florida are among the leading states in biomass production.

How to get a green energy plan

Renewable energy is included in all Texas energy plans. You can check the percentage of renewable energy in a plan’s Electricity Facts Label. Many retail electric providers in Texas offer plans with higher percentages of green electricity, including 100% green plans.

Some providers, like Gexa Energy, Green Mountain Energy, and Chariot Energy, exclusively sell 100% green energy. Enter your ZIP code on our marketplace and filter for green energy to explore your options.

Green energy FAQs

No, it means your provider will purchase renewable energy credits equal to 100% of your usage. This amount of green energy is added to the electric grid, where it mixes with other types of energy.
No. According to a 2021 report from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), “[t]he share of renewable energy that achieved lower costs than the most competitive fossil fuel option doubled in 2020.” Not only are renewables inexpensive, but “renewables increasingly undercut existing coal’s operational costs, too.”
Yes, it can. Solar panel manufacturing involves toxic metals. Hydroelectric dams can flood areas and harm wildlife. Wind turbines may harm birds and bats, and their large blades can end up in landfills. Biomass, as mentioned, creates carbon dioxide when burned.

Green energy plans and programs

Here’s how green energy providers in Texas operate to give their customers access to renewable energy.

Green energy companies like Gexa Energy purchase renewable energy credits (RECs) from alternative energy generators to help offset your energy use. These credits come from various renewable sources like wind, solar, hydro, geothermal, and biomass.
The electricity you use at home isn’t directly from these sources because the power grid combines electricity from all sources, including renewables and fossil fuels. However, your green energy provider ensures that the same amount of energy you use comes from renewable sources.

If you want to directly use renewable energy at home, installing a solar panel system at your residence is a popular choice. Otherwise, your electricity will be a mix of different sources.

Green transportation

illustration of electric vehicle charging and bicycles

Green family fun

Green energy trends

Go green at home

Seasonal green energy guides

Green energy by state

[Boyko.Pictures]/Shutterstock

[Neo Arts]/Shutterstock

[Iconic Bestiary]/Shutterstock

[vectorfair.com]/Shutterstock