Industrial and agricultural development by mankind has placed significant pressure on the environment of our planet, but it is only in the last few decades that the likely implications of such behaviour have become apparent. Conventional power sources will not become more abundant, nor will they become less expensive.

The principal sources of man-made greenhouse gas emissions are heavy industry and fossil fuel electricity generation. The cost of energy is generally expected to rise as a result of increasing demand and the steady depletion of fossil fuel reserves. Many governments are introducing a range of policy measures with the intent of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Included within these are a variety of regulatory and financial support mechanisms to directly promote the development and usage of renewable energy.

The combination of these political and economic factors has made the research, development and use of alternative, clean, renewable energy sources increasingly viable for domestic and commercial applications where previously they were expensive or not practical.