The purpose of this compendium is to present a concise overview of the progress of technology, economy and market in relation to renewable energy.

The sun is a prerequisite for life as we know it on our planet. With the exception of geothermal energy and tidal water, solar energy is the driving force behind all other renewable energy sources. Fossil energy carriers are even considered to be mainly stored solar energy. The human race uses solar energy & renewable energy extensively and has done so throughout history. Today the most important areas of utilization are those of drying agricultural products, heating buildings and producing electric power. In the future direct use of solar energy & renewable energy can become common also for cooling and for running industrial production processes.