This report is intended to clarify the nature of renewable energy resources, identify the manifold conversion technologies available, discuss their significance and potential impact, government involvement and major developments. In addition, because the subject is relatively new, discussion of possible legal, social or institutional barriers to the development of the various technologies is presented. Laws are often written to address specific problems, and old laws may inadvertently exclude the possibility of new and innovative developments. In other cases, no reason for legislation may have existed previously.