1) According to recent U.S. EPA figures, residential and commercial buildings generate approximately 40% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. That's a higher percentage than either transportation or manufacturing. (Source: United States Environmental Protection Agency inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas emissions, April 2007).

2) There's a significant trend toward reducing this carbon footprint. An increasing number of businesses and recreational facilities are going solar and many builders are incorporating energy efficiency into the creation of new homes

3) One person can change a neighborhood. There are many examples where one person added solar and within a few years, neighbors did the same.

4) During natural disasters, solar powered buildings may be the only buildings with electricity. The organizer of the National Solar Tour in Baton Rouge, Louisiana provided shelter for 10 friends and neighbors during and following Hurricane Katrina. While power was out throughout the area, solar power kept his lights on, fans and refrigerator running and provided power to watch TV news updates about the storm and flooding.

5) Following hurricane Katrina, portable solar power was used to get the St. Bernard Port, Harbor & Terminal District back up and running.

6) During California's record heat wave in July 2006 families using solar power helped keep the grid up and running by providing their surplus energy to the utility grid.

7) Many environmentally aware baby boomers are turning to solar for their retirement homes.

8) Solar technologies are working their way into mainstream America. It's now possible to purchase a solar system at your local home improvement store.

9) Big business is investing in future energy needs by purchasing solar now. Familiar names in California like Kohl's, Macy's, Google, Ebay, Adobe, and Wal-Mart are implementing solar technologies.