Alternative Energy

Alternative Energy is any source of energy that is less commonly utilized or is not a part of the commercial energy infrastructure (ie you don't get it from the power company or the gas station). The term is often used in reference to Renewable Energy (RE). RE sources are renewable in the sense that they can be replenished or replaced fairly quickly (not on a geologic scale of time).

An example of an alternative energy source is corn (maize) grown for vegetable oil that can be burned for heat or in a diesel engine. Energy in the wind can be captured with a windmill and converted to electricity using a generator driven by the turbine. Photovoltiac (solar) cells can be ganged together in a solar panel to convert the sun's energy to electricity.