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For more "ribbit" research, visit the Frogwatch USA ( www.nwf.org/keepthewildalive/frogwatch/ ) and Frogweb ( frogweb.gov ) Web sites.

At Home with Solar Power

Shopping for solar, but don't know where to start? You might consider looking to your local do-it-yourself center.

AstroPower, a manufacturer of solar electric systems, has teamed up with The Home Depot stores in four states to offer residential photovoltaic systems. Their SunUPS and SunLine Solar Electric Home Power Systems are available at select stores in New Jersey, New York, Delaware and southern California, bringing the total number of stores carrying solar electric systems to 61. Displays at these stores show customers how easy it is to generate clean, quiet electricity by tapping into the sun's energy.

"Solar electric power gives people the ability to take control of their electric generation, affording them greater energy independence and reducing their utility bills," says Tim Kullick, Global Services Merchant at The Home Depot.

Through a Web site or toll-free telephone call, customers make an appointment for an energy audit and solar site analysis with trained and licensed solar electric installers. The consultation is free, with no strings attached. And to sweeten solar power, The Home Depot is offering two easy financing options, enabling customers same-day purchase power and competitive interest rates.

Other companies, such as Schott Applied Power ( www.appliedpower.com ) and Uni-Solar ( www.uni-solar.com ) offer complete residential solar packages through their certified dealers. Schott sells the SunRoof RS, a grid-tied solar electric package that, says Brian Teitelbaum, Application Engineer, can be installed by a licensed contractor in just one day. Uni-Solar's "tailored solutions," according to Product Market Manager Tom Moran, which include low-profile solar roof retrofits, flexible solar laminates bonded to new metal roofs and their newest product: solar shingles, are available from a network of more than 200 certified installers. Through their program, a solar residential consultant evaluates the resident's energy requirements, calculates the solar access at the site and inspects the house's roof structure to determine the best product match.

Many states now sponsor substantial incentives for going solar. For the most current information, visit the Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy at www.dsireusa.org .

Solar on the Go

Solar has gone smaller and gotten smarter. The perfect pairing for charging batteries and running radios, solar energy is making it into the mainstream for popular applications.

Soltronix HR-1 FM/AM Headphone Radio is powered by thin-film solar technology. On a full charge, the radio will play over 30 hours, allowing for plenty of fun—in and out of the sun.

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