Light is something we take for granted in the developed world. It’s always available at the flip of a switch, and the only thing we have to worry about is paying the electric bill. This is not the case in other less developed parts of the world, and if global warming predictions come true, we may not be able to take it for granted for much longer. We have become far too reliant on conventional sources of energy for everyday activities such as cooking and lighting, and it is past time that we looked into alternative sources such as solar power and wind power because they are ultra-clean ‘green’ sources that can save us money and avert the environmental disaster that many are predicting.

Some Common Misconceptions
Most of us are familiar with solar powered lighting from road signs and street lights that have small solar collectors installed to capture the sun’s rays. It’s perhaps not surprising that the majority of people believe that solar lights are only suitable for outdoor use; however, this is no longer the case; solar power can be used inside the home as well. To take advantage of this free source of electricity, you will need to fund and install a solar panel, but once you have done so, maintenance costs are very low, and the power itself is essentially free. Installing a solar panel is relatively simple, but it does necessitate some specialized knowledge. Don’t worry, you can learn everything you need to know from the Internet, but if you don’t feel comfortable doing it yourself, there are many installation companies that will do it for you.

After you have installed your system, you will have access to your free source of light both during the day and at night. However, in order for your system to provide electricity at night, your panels must be exposed to sunlight during the day. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the amount of money spent on solar power research and development; commercially available systems are much more efficient at collecting solar energy than they were, say, 5 or 10 years ago. A small investment in a solar collection system will pay dividends for many years to come, benefiting both the individual and the environment – it’s a true win-win situation.