Why not Solar???

Back in the seventies when fuel shortages caused a general panic in the U.S., solar energy got very hot. Solar panels and electricity-generating solar cells suddenly appeared to be the answer to all of our energy problems. Of course, once the oil began to flow again, Americans quickly forgot about solar and just lined up at the pump or waited for the oil man to deliver more liquid gold. Solar heat and solar powered cars became curiosities relegated to Popular Science Magazine and World Solar Challenge races.

So, here we are 30 years later getting pinched at the pump thanks to trouble in the middle east and a lack of interest on the part of the public.

While biofuels and hybrid powered cars are taking hold and proving their worth, there does not seem to be much going on with solar energy even though, technically, every form on energy on the planet starts with the sun.

With the price of solar cells at about 10% of what they were 20 years ago I would think that someone could come up with an efficient way to power a car. We drive to work, park in a big open, sunny lot for eight to nine hours and then drive home. That big roof panel and trunk lid could be scooping up power to get us around. But, I guess we'll have to wait for some additional incentives to come from Washington or for gas to hit $5.00 a gallon before we take off our sun glasses.