| Criteria | Non-renewable energy resources | Renewable energy resources |
| Repetitively used energy sources | One-time use | Can use again and again |
| Perpetual sources | Vanish one day | Available for perpetual use |
| Eco-friendly sources | Emits gasses and pollute the environment | Do not emit gases and does not pollute the environment |
| Availability | Limited quantity | Unlimited quantity |
| Production cost | High | Low |
| Maintenance cost | Low | High |
| Production quantity | Large | Less |
| Area required | Require less space to install energy plant | Require large space to install energy plant |