Nearly all of our terrestrial energy sources are derived from solar energy. The fossil fuels that run our power plants and vehicles are actually energy from the photosynthetic processes of plants millions of years ago. The wind that turns turbines is a result of variations between temperature in the poles and around the equator combined with the rotation of the planet. The sun even plays a part in hydroelectric and tidal power by providing the energy for the evaporation step of the water cycle.

Just to put into perspective the amount of energy that the sun provides every day, the energy that hits the earth from the sun in just one hour is enough to satisfy the earth's energy needs for an entire year. The trick is to harvest this energy in the present, since the stored sources of solar energy are finite. Although there are a number of technologies that incorporate solar energy, they all fall within one of two major applications that are used by homes and businesses: photovoltaic panels and solar thermal energy

• Photovoltaic panels convert light from the sun directly into electricity using a photochemical process similar to that used by plants.  The technology behind these devices has advanced to the point that on a sunny day, they are capable of providing enough electricity to power a typical home single-handedly.
• Solar Thermal Energy refers to the technique of harnessing the sun's energy for heat.  During the day, while the sun is at its brightest point, heat energy is stored in a large thermal mass, such as stone, and can be released later in the day. These systems are most commonly used for heat swimming pools and for space heating, but are finding broader applications every day.

These solar technologies are useful for businesses and individual homeowners alike.  At Efficientree, we believe in starting small and working your way up the green ladder, because going green starts with small steps.

• Lighting: Hundreds of products are available for indoor and outdoor lighting applications.  For more information, visit our section on Lighting.
• Pool and Patio: There are thousands of products available for your pool and patio that take advantage of the sun's abundant rays in the summer. These include outdoor lighting, pool heaters, accent lights, solar showers, and even lighting for your shed and stepping stones for the backyard. These products are affordable, efficient, and can make you feel a little less guilty about a day of poolside lounging.
• Small Electronics: A major source of lost energy in our homes are those little AC adapters for our many electronic devices. The most basic solution to these energy drains is simply to unplug or turn off the devices when not using them.  However, another option is to plug them into a solar device that will charge them using energy from the sun.
• Automotive: Solar-powered cars aren't here yet, but there are many products for your car that allow you to take advantage of that energy from the sun that turns your car into an oven on those sweltering summer days. For example, the Sunforce Solar Battery Trickle Charger will slowly keep your battery charged so you never have to worry about being stranded with a dead car battery.
• Solar Generators: While more expensive, a solar back up kit can replace a generator for emergency lighting in the home, and also works great for RVs and other recreational applications.

Once you start exploring all of the small ways you can incorporate solar into your life, you might be ready to consider a full PV (Photovoltaic) power source. For more information on installing these in your home, read Solar Generation.