Solar Energy
	
	It's odd that BP Amoco touts itself as the new Green Oil Company because they sell their own line of solar panels, 
	yet not a single BP Amoco gas station has solar panels on its roof. Same goes for Arco which owns Siemens Solar. 
	However, as the BP ads say, "it's a start."  Contrary to popular belief, solar power 
	is now competitive with fossil fuel power, especially in states with healthy rebates and tax incentives for 
	installing a system. I bought my system from Astropower, the only solar panel company not owned by a big energy 
	corporation, and the only one to make their panels with silicon wafers recycled from the computer chip industry. 
	Already-recycled solar panels: who can top that? Unfortunately, they went belly-up. I hear GE bought their facility and is still making the recycled chip panels. Beware companies that don't have staying power. My panels still work, but the inverter they came with died and that company also went belly-up. Fortunately there are many local solar installers now, and Absolutely Energized fixed me up. Web-search for solar installers in your area, or contact your electric utility company.

Also, be careful when deciding between a simple grid-tied system and one with battery backup. The batteries only last about 5 years at most, and cost around $200 apiece, and they use power that could be feeding your appliances. Unless you expect to have frequent power shortages, you really don't need the batteries. Take it from me, who learned the hard way. And if enough people put up panels, there should be no more outages. When I see all the flat-roofed industrial complexes off the highways that get sun all day long, I wonder how long it will take for people to wake up. Between sun and wind, even in the cloudy East Coast we could eliminate our use of oil, coal and nuclear power for electricity, but only if we all pitch in. Instead of buying an SUV, consider a solar array or wind turbine. It will pay for itself in just 20 years and help get us out from underneath OPEC's thumb.