A dilute source of energy is an energy source that provides low energy per unit area or volume, meaning it is spread out and not concentrated. To harness useful amounts of energy from a dilute source, large collecting areas or long collection times are needed.

Examples of Dilute Energy Sources:

• Solar energy: Sunlight delivers only about 1 kW per square metre at Earth’s surface, so large panels are needed to gather significant energy.

• Wind energy: Wind has low power density, so turbines must be large and spaced out.

• Tidal and wave energy: Though consistent, their energy is spread over large ocean areas.

Contrast:

• Concentrated sources (e.g. fossil fuels, nuclear fuels) release large amounts of energy from small volumes or masses.

Concentrated Energy Sources