So you've heard about the benefits of going solar. You know solar energy is clean and environmentally friendly. You know the fuel in solar systems, sunlight, is free and inexhaustible. You want to give solar a try, but are concerned it will be expensive and necessitate a roof covered with solar panels. Are there other options?

Yes, indeed. There are many economical options for those wanting to experience the advantages of solar without making a significant investment or sacrificing roof real estate to those shiny panels. There are literally thousands of consumer friendly solar products that will not empty the wallet and do not require complicated installation.

Here are few ideas to get you started...

• Solar Landscape Lighting - This is a great way to beautify those outdoor living spaces. Use solar landscape lights to highlight a favorite garden feature, define a path or walkway, or just add a little ambiance to a deck or patio. From path and spotlights to fence and garden accent lights, there are a wide variety of solar powered landscape lights in every style, function, color, and price range.
• Solar Shed Lights - Do you have a shed or other outdoor structure that requires a little light, but there's no outlet in sight? Solar shed lights are an ideal solution. The fixture goes inside and a small, unobtrusive solar collector gets attached to the roof or outside wall. The collector charges the batteries that power the light.
• Solar Security Lights - Similar to shed lights, solar security lights have a light fixture and a remote solar panel that provides power to the batteries. The difference, however, is a sensor that turns the light on automatically when motion is detected. In addition, since these lights are not hard-wired, they will work even during a power outage.
• Solar Battery Chargers - Just about everyone has some type of consumer electronic that has an internal battery. Typically the power from a wall outlet is required to charge these batteries. With a solar charger, you can skip the outlet and use sunlight instead. There are a variety of solutions available for charging cell phones, mp3 players, PDA's, laptop's, portable gaming systems, and other battery powered consumer electronics.
• Solar Fountains and Birdbaths - Solar aquatics are another great way to beautify outdoor spaces. Unlike hard-wired systems, small solar collectors provide power to the pumps that circulate water in fountains, bird baths, or other aquatic garden feature.
• Solar Address Markers - Yes, there are even solar powered address markers that can make it easier to find your home in the evening.

These are just a few of the many solar powered solutions available to the environmentally, and economically, conscious consumer wanting to introduce a little solar into the home. All of them use clean, free power from the sun. They are easy to install, require little maintenance, and are inexpensive to operate.

Using solar powered products in the home doesn't need to be complicated or expensive. So give solar a try.