This article is concerned with the problem of the development of renewable energy in the world. The paper presents the efficient potential of solar and geothermal energy in Russia. The advantages of using renewable energy technologies in buildings are presented. Examples of the introduction of renewable power plants into the building envelope are considered. A comparative analysis of the efficiency of solar facade power plants with thin-film panels is given on the example of a three-story residential building in two cities of Russia. The methods of regulation of state policy in relation to renewable energy in a number of countries are considered. The article provides comparable data on the percent of renewable energy sources in the total energy balance of European Union and Russia. © 2022 American Institute of Physics Inc.. All rights reserved.