Just had an idea...

[Saice]

Actually what blew my mind as a kid was finding out solar towers used molten salt to make steam.

Thats right solar power uses the sun to melt pure sodium metals and use that to make steam.

 

[jumpfight5]

Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion uses ammonia.

 

[brujon]

Yeah, but it's not very efficient... Tidal generators spin turbines using the... YOU GUESSED IT, the power of the tides. Turbines, turbines everywhere.

 

[Saice]

Well at its core mechincal power at some point comes down to Spin this magnet and/or coil around each other.

And Turbines are the best way to spin those things.

But Photovoltaic is making huge leaps so there is a chance we might be more on that front in the next 20-30 years.