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If you can stream well and watch videos on your computer.  Do a search to get the Discovery Channel special called 2057.  There are three in the series but this one entitled “The World” is basically about the coming energy crisis.  It also gives a dramatization of two scientists trying to create a solar panel efficient enough to solve our energy crisis.  It’s a good little video to give you some background, if a bit melodramatic.

Here is an idea that just seems to make sense.  Using the sun to generate the electricity to cool you down during the hottest part of the day.  This technology is emerging slowly but I believe we will see more and more of this type as the energy crunch grows.  The SolCool Solar Powered A/C uses solar panels to directly power the unit.  It can also purify drinking water (a little bonus there).  It contains a battery back-up for nighttime and can be plugged in normally if all else fails.