alternative energy

noun

variants: or less commonly alternative power

|Updated on: 21 Jul 2018

Definition of alternative energy

: usable power (such as heat or electricity) that comes from a renewable or green resource

alternative energy sources/technology

Recent Examples of alternative energy from the Web

Also proposed are a greenhouse, tech incubator, alternative energy campus, and a public access area with a park and loop bringing bikers and walkers closer to the lake.

— karen caffarini, Post-Tribune, "Data center hopes to rise from ashes of defunct Hammond power plant," 22 June 2018
The alternative energy sources environmental activists favor are generally more expensive.

— joseph l. bast and, WSJ, "The Social Benefits of Fossil Fuels Far Outweigh the Costs," 17 June 2018
In previous decades it wasn't considered a viable alternative energy option, mostly because units were so expensive to install and took years to pay for themselves.

— lara sorokanich, Popular Mechanics, "How to See the Future," 15 Aug. 2016
There are miles of geothermal heat along with other alternative energy systems of solar- and wind power.

— janet eastman, OregonLive.com, "Ashland healer's home, for sale at $5 million, has dome skylights, lavender maze (photos)," 5 June 2018
Solar power has increasingly become a driver in the growth of the state’s alternative energy production.

— ivan penn, New York Times, "California Will Require Solar Power for New Homes," 9 May 2018
Ransom Everglades School Ransom Everglades School sixth- and seventh graders learned about climate change, sea-level rise and alternative energy resources during the annual Energy and Climate Change Symposium, held at the school.

— adrianne richardson, miamiherald, "AT&T employees help refresh Liberty City Elementary School | Miami Herald," 8 May 2018
Our mission extends beyond climate change and seeks to address the vital environmental issues that have been neglected: issues like alternative energy, property rights, and responsible stewardship of the world we’ve been given.

— bethany bowra, Teen Vogue, "Young Conservatives Are Defending the Environment, Too," 22 Apr. 2018
Four companies that develop alternative energy will be making a 3,700 mile trip to Germany to network and learn from global leaders in their field.

— rebecca lurye, courant.com, "Local Alternative Energy Companies Seek New Markets At German Trade Show," 20 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'alternative energy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.