The aim of the article was to identify factors influencing the growth of renewable energy sources (RES) in rural areas in the context of sustainable development. The research covered economic conditions and the identification of changes in the law relating to the Renewable Energy Sources Act of 2018, resulting from the energy policy of the European Union, providing favorable conditions for the development of RES and financial support for producers of energy from renewable sources. This article focuses on four renewable energy sources: wood biomass, biogas, biodiesel and solar energy, important sources for rural farms and farms other than agricultural farms. The discussion presents the role of rural households in the supply and use of RES in accordance with the principle of sustainable development, describes the favorable attitude of rural residents to financing RES projects from public funds and the local potential in creating jobs in the RES sector.