ABSTRACT
This chapter considers the socio-economic determinants of renewable energy development. In this section, renewable energy is characterised, along with description of its types and features. An important part of the chapter is a discussion of the impact of renewable energy on the environment and human health, as well as on the economy and society. Development of the energy industry takes place in a specific social space, which is crucial for the technical and organisational solutions adopted in the energy industry. Public awareness therefore determines the possibilities, directions of development and use of renewable energy sources, which is another issue addressed in this chapter.
