It is easy to get all excited about making electricity with solar panels, but electricity isn’t the only thing the sun can do. It makes heat. Using a solar water heater is a whole lot simpler and cheaper than making enough electricity to run an electric water heater. Online, you can find plans to build a unit that fits into a window that will help heat your house. With a solar oven, you can even cook a meal. With a magnifying glass you can start a campfire with the sun’s heat.
Don’t overlook solar thermal power. Even my cat knows how to harness the sun’s heat on a cool morning.
–Neal