The top energy trend of 2008

And the winner is: solar power. In 2008, applications for solar power technology were popping up all over the place.

Try the golf course – where the sun is always supposed to be shining, in theory anyway.  But what needs power on the back nine?  You do, if you’re playing all 18.  Soon solar-powered golf carts may just be as common as divots.  

Municipalities across North America are switching from coin-operated parking meters to pay stations.  Switching over to a system that takes payment by credit, debit, and pre-pay cards necessarily means electricity – and cities are trying to use less energy, not more.  The solution?  Solar-powered pay stations.  

Around since the 1800’s, solar-powered water heating technology is as simple as it sounds. But new technologies are making its use increasingly widespread, even in countries you might not expect.

“Big box” stores, such as Wal-Mart and K-Mart, have heretofore-unused advantage thanks to their big, broad, flat roofs.  Hence the “box” sobriquet.   What better place for long rows of electricity-generating solar panels? 

And we give a nod to Triumph International’s unveiling of the solar bra. With a photovoltaic panel, the bra generates enough electricity to charge a mobile phone or MP3 player. Brings a new meaning to supporting alternative energy.