SECTION III

Solar Energy

     But however much we conserve, the fact remains that two ofour most important sources of energy — oil and natural gas are in short supply. Sooner or later (and many experts say it had better be sooner) we will have to find new sources of energy for the years ahead.

     Many alternative energy sources are being considered. Oneof the most attractive is the sun. And no wonder. The sun poursmore clean energy on the earth in two weeks than is contained in all the world’s coal, oil, and natural gas reserves combined. And best of all, it’s free.

     In the next experiment we will convert our weatherized house into a solar garden that you can actually use to grow small plants (potted herbs, for example)  outside during the winter.  Thisworking model, by the way, is based on a full-sized solar garden that did indeed produce crops in commercial quantities all year around in Michigan.