The life cycle of renewable energy sources has been analyzed in the research paper. The differences and specific features of life cycles of traditional and renewable energy sources have been identified. A proprietary scheme of the life cycle of renewable energy sources has been proposed, which takes into account the identified features compare to traditional energy sources. The renewable energy life cycle consists of three stages and ten phases. The eco-destructive impact of renewable energy sources at each stage of the life cycle has been investigated and presented, which makes it possible to assess objectively and take into account the complex eco-destructive impact of the use of a specific object that uses renewable energy sources. The studies of Al-Mulali, Apergis, and Payne, Dogan and Turkekul, Menegaki, confirming the relationship between growth indicators (Gross Domestic Product) and the growth of energy produced by renewable energy sources were examined. The total electricity consumption in the world for the period 1973–2016 was considered. Comparisons of traditional and renewable energy sources by service life and life cycle are given, and the main stages and phases of the life cycle of renewable energy sources are examined in detail. The stages of development and creation of renewable energy technology, namely the stages of development and creation of renewable energy technology, the operation of renewable energy facilities and the utilization and recycling of renewable energy components were considered. The impact of renewable energy on the environment from reservoirs and the specific effects of the use of renewable energy facilities has been studied. To identify adverse factors of influence, from eco-destructive impact, the stages of the structural composition of the renewable energy life cycle were examined to find possible ways to eliminate them at each stage. Key words: renewable energy sources, life cycle, energy, energy production, management of natural resources.