The global potential for renewable energy sources RES

Solar energy is the most abundant permanent energy resource on Earth and it is available for use in its direct (solar radiation) and indirect (wind, biomass, hydro, ocean, etc.) forms. The total annual solar radiation falling on the Earth is more than 

Resource Current use (2004) (EJ) Technical potential (EJ) Theoretical potential (EJ) 

1 Total primary energy supply is calculated using the IEA conventions, among others the physical energy content method for renewable sources (IEA, 2006a 2007) (see also Section 3.1). 

The global potential for RES as an indication of long-term availability of the resource can be defined as a theoretical potential (e.g., theoretical maximum), which 

Solar collectors (hot water, space heating) 105GWth 

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