solar power and solar energy generation has been promoted by a fringe group of entuhisiasts for some time. In recent years the ball has begun rolling in a much bigger way as more and more R&D has gone into developing larger format solutions that are cheaper and more efficient.

Now the big question is can that push be made so that the average American gets on board with solar? At the strike of the new year 2007 SB 1 will become law in California and aims to spearhead that push. SB 1 provides 3.2 billion dollars in funding to build a million solar powered homes in the next ten years. Some have called it welfare, while others welcome it with open arems and call it a revolution in moving solar to the next level of acceptance.

"If the solar industry is going to continue to thrive and expand we are going to have to separate ourselves from the alternative fuels debate. The technology is good now. It can be distributed now. Now is when we have to sell." California Senator Kevin Murray

"It's not a policy thing… Now we have to implement [SB 1] so that people begin to realize solar is something they can use everyday," said Murray, who authored the Million Solar Roofs bill.

image : BP Solar

The Home Depot, which has partnered with BP Solar, has already begun marketing a solar system and installation program to the mainstream by offering its customers the ability to sign-up online for free, in-home consultations.

"If the solar industry is going to continue to thrive and expand we are going to have to separate ourselves from the alternative fuels debate," Murray said. "The technology is good now. It can be distributed now. Now is when we have to sell."

Amen to that.