The two main different sources of power for desert ranches are solar power and wind power.

Solar power is harnessed by collecting the energy of the sun and storing it in a photovoltaic cell. This energy is then used for electrical needs on the ranch. It is a very clean type of operating system. Initially, the cost is on the high side, but in the long run it is cheaper than transporting electricity through power lines. Likewise, new techniques are being discovered all the time to make solar energy a very efficient way to produce electricity.

Wind power is another source of power for desert ranches. Giant windmills are turned by wind power and convert mechanical energy into electrical energy. In some places these windmills are causing some controversy. The question is whether there will always be sufficient wind to power these windmills. Environmentalists say that there has not been enough study as to how these windmills affect nature, especially the migrating patterns of birds.

Geothermal energy is earth energy captured from hot rocks. Water is poured into a hole several hundred meters below the earth's surface. The heated water is then forced out of a second hole and then is used to run a turbine to produce electricity. While it is not feasible for an individual rancher or a group of ranchers to have their own source of energy, large companies can supply all the electricity that is needed to operate a ranch.

Future energy needs will depend very much on other renewable sources of energy.