Hydro, Wind, Solar Hydro power harnesses the energy of falling or running water and has been used for centuries to power irrigation and machinery. Wind power captures the kinetic energy of wind using turbines with blades that spin a shaft connected to a generator. Solar power uses photovoltaic cells made of metalization layers that harvest photons from sunlight and convert it to electrical energy. These renewable green energy sources can help reduce dependence on fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions.