Solar Energy: A Little History Lesson...

A brief history of solar water heating...

We may think solar water heating is a
relatively new concept. Oh no, it just
ain't so.

Cave dwellers, Native Americans and the
ancient Greeks knew the benefits of the
center of the solar system. The sun!

The Roman Empire was the first to use
the advanced solar technology by using
glass to enhance the effectiveness of
solar heating.

In 1891, the world's first ever commercial
solar water heater was patented by a man
by the name of Clarence M. Kemp.

Then in 1909, William Bailey, a California
engineer, began selling a solar water heater.
He called it "Day & Night".

When Los Angeles discovered deposits of
natural gas, sales of his solar heaters went
kaput.

Savvy business people took these designs to
Florida and were very successful. 60,000
solar hot water systems were installed between
1935 and 1941 during the building boom.

Just imagine. Between 1937 and 1941, 80%
of the homes were solar equipped!

After World War II, electricity rates plummeted
and homeowners found it easier to go with
electric hot water heaters.

Nobody thought much more about renewable
energy until the 1973 Arab oil embargo. Then
President Jimmy Carter made energy efficiency
a priority. He installed a solar water heater on
the roof of the White House!

The federal government considered you to be
patriotic during the late 70s and early 80s if you
installed solar energy systems.

So what happened? We were on the right track.
Well. Imagine if you are selling fossil fuels. You're
going to be pissed, right? This renewable energy
movement is going to cost you big-time money!

Then America witnessed the most expensive
presidential campaign EVER. Part of it was
even financed by OIL INTERESTS.

And then...Ronald Reagan was elected the
President of the United States! And with it,
his love of all things FOSSIL!

He promptly removed the solar water heater
from the White House roof and systematically
gutted the US solar industry.

While North America divorced itself from
renewable energy, other countries embraced
alternative energy sources. Even Third World
countries are weaning themselves off fossil fuel!
Israel even requires all new buildings to have
solar water heaters installed!

Can you believe North America is the backward
continent? What does this tell us? The US is
supposedly the most powerful country on the
planet. For shame!

But, finally...renewable energy alternatives is
gaining momentum. We really aren't left with
much choice, are we? Let's hope our politicians will
help us catch up with the rest of the world.

In the meantime, there are many things we
can do ourselves to not only improve our
planet but also save money in the process.