What is Renewable Energy? 

Renewable energy, also known as green power, is generated from sources that are available naturally and replenish themselves. Green power comes from renewable sources that produce little or no pollution and have far less impact on the environment than energy from fossil fuels such as coal or oil. Renewable resources such as the sun, wind and organic matter are converted into electric energy that is good for the environment.

Co-ops have been developing new renewable energy sources (owned and purchased) at a much faster rate than the rest of the industry. In each of the last two years, co-op renewable energy capacity grew more than 60 percent.

• In 2008, co-ops received over 11 percent of their power from renewable sources (including federal hydropower), as compared to 9.4 percent for the nation’s entire electric utility sector.
• Nationwide, co-ops own 554 MW in renewable energy generation and have purchased contracts for 1946 MW for a combined total of 2500 MW. This is in addition to the roughly 10 GW of preference power contracts with Federal hydroelectric facilities. Electric Cooperative's Renewable Map - February 2011 .

Union Power is is one of twenty three North Carolina electric cooperatives who formed the not-for profit company, GreenCo, Solutions, Inc., to assist in the creation of energy efficiency programs and the development of renewable energy resources needed to achieve the electric cooperative's goals. The result of these new programs and initiatives is a cleaner and greener North Carolina for all of us. Visit www.greencosolutions.net to learn more.

Click on the links below to learn more about solar and wind energy:

Solar Energy.pdf        Wind Energy.pdf