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It depends what you mean by "solar energy." Humans have always used solar energy in some sense: to warm themselves, to grow food, etc. However, I'm assuming that's not really what you mean (although it is important to realize that all energy on earth, with the exception of nuclear fission and geothermal, is ultimately driven by the sun's energy -- even fossil fuels, which after all were plants that grew with sunlight millions of years ago). Solar power has been used directly in various forms for over 100 years.

Ancient Egyptians built places to live that allowed stored energy from the sun during the day, and a heat release during the night. This kind of architecture heated homes at night while keeping the temperature low during the day. Egyptians also used the sun as part of their mummification process, using the sun to dry dead bodies. The Egyptians used a form of passive solar power. 3rd Century B.C., Greek soldiers with the help of Archimedes, focused light on a Roman fleet by using mirrors,

But, on shore ocean wave energy generators will occupy extended lengths of coastline. And most of the coastlines of the world that have significant wave activity are either highly desired residential areas, or they are pristine wilderness.

Ocean wave energy is still in the development stages but it is already apparent that its impact on the environment could be relatively high compared to other renewable energies.

It is noteworthy that even these environmental impacts are far less than those of most fossil fuel plants.

Theoretical global ocean energy resource[2] Capacity (GW) Annual gen. (TW·h) Form 5,000 50,000 Marine current power[3] 20 2,000 Osmotic power 1,000 10,000 Ocean thermal energy 90 800 Tidal energy 1,000—9,000 8,000—80,000 Wave energy

Flash steam plants are the most common type of geothermal power plants in operation today. They use extremely hot water (above 300 degrees F (149 degrees C)), which is pumped under high pressure to the generation equipment at the surface. The hot Estimated subterranean temperatures at a depth of 6 kilometers.water is vaporized and the vapor in turn drives turbines to generate electricity

Tidal turbines look like wind turbines. They are arrayed underwater in rows, as in some wind farms. The turbines function best where coastal currents run between 3.6 and 4.9 knots (4 and 5.5 mph). In currents of that speed, a 49.2-foot (15-meter) diameter tidal turbine can generate as much energy as a 197-foot (60-meter) diameter wind turbine. Ideal locations for tidal turbine farms are close to shore in water 65.5–98.5 feet (20–30 meters) deep

Waves are a powerful source of energy.

The problem is that it's not easy to harness this energy and convert it into electricity in large amounts.

wave power stations are rare

Alcohol-based biofuels are produced in much the same way as liquor, though, of course with different emphasis. In fact, ethyl alcohol, or ethanol, which is the most commonly used bio-alcohol, is the same type of alcohol that is found in whiskey, vodka, gin, etc.  All of these are based on the fermentation of starches and sugars. The ingredients are gathered, ground up, mixed with water and left to ferment with the help of yeast or other organisms for some period of time (three years for Scotch whiskey!) before it is finally distilled into the final product.

Most of the wind energy produced  for power needs comes from wind farms, great big windmill type contraptions produce electricity because as the wind blows it turns the blades on a shaft, which powers a generator.

Wind energy is mechanical energy, the rotating movement of the blades of the windmill produces electricity through a generator. The wind is formed by the heating and cooling effects of the suns rays, the air rotates in high and low pressure which generates wind. Depending  on the type of wind pressure that is generated,whether it is a cool breeze on your face, different capacity of the strength of wind is formed in different parts of the world, this power goes to producing an effective source of untapped energy, for use by us in the form of heating and lighting.

Tremendous potential exists for clean energy in waves and tides. Lockheed Martin Mission Systems and Sensors (MS2) is leveraging decades of experience in designing and developing maritime systems into wave and tidal power systems. To do that, we have strategic relationships with key wave and tidal power technology providers. They will provide the technology to convert waves and tides into energy, and MS2 will provide the expertise to help make the systems work in harsh ocean environments and scalable for large-scale production. Wave power generates electricity using special buoys that use the rising and falling of ocean waves to generate electricity. MS2 is partnering with Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. (OPT) and WaveBob LLC to develop their respective wave energy systems for use in future utility-scale power generation projects. MS2 provides its expertise in systems integration, lean manufacturing, and test and optimization analysis to enhance OPT's and Wavebob’s wave power generation technology to utility-scale. Tidal power generating systems use underwater turbines designed to capture the kinetic motion of ebbing and surging ocean tides to produce power. MS2 provides design and manufacturing support to Singapore-based Atlantic Resources Corporation (ARC), which is testing its tidal turbines at the European Marine Energy Centre in Orkney, Scotland. MS2 is also exploring related technologies that can be adapted to shallow and low-rate tidal flows.

Tidal energy is a form of hydropower that converts the energy of the tides into electricity or other useful forms of power. The tide is created by the gravitational effect of the sun and the moon on the earth. Tidal energy is therefore a predictable form of renewable energy, which can be harnessed in two forms:

Tidal energy is produced through the use of tidal energy generators. These large underwater turbines are placed in areas with high tidal movements, and are designed to capture the kinetic motion of the ebbing and surging of ocean tides in order to produce electricity. Tidal power has great potential for future power and electricity generation because of the massive size of the oceans. These articles explore the potential energy of tidal power technologies.

It will generate one of the most environmentally-friendly forms of energy - it makes no noise

Wave energy is an irregular and oscillating low-frequency energy source that can be converted to a 60-Hertz frequency

Kinetic energy, the energy of motion, in waves is tremendous. An average 4-foot, 10-second wave striking a coast puts out more than 35,000 horsepower per mile of coast.

Because wave energy needs only 1/200 the land area of wind and requires no access roads, infrastructure costs are less;