Just back from a whirlwind day at Solar Power 2007 in Long Beach and I gotta say ... this industry is on fire ... finally. This photo was taken around noon and it shows the lineup of folks still waiting to get registered. On the show floor you literally had to elbow your way down the aisles.

The variety of exhibitors also indicates an industry that is maturing at a fast pace.

• new technologies in manufacturing
• new products and systems
• new ideas for monitoring and maintaining
• new installation techniques and systems
• new ways to market and finance solar systems
• new ways to recruit and train integrators

I think we are really on the way now and should see great progress in the near future towards the adoption of Alternative Energy solutions in every day construction throughout the country. Interesting that Germany had a booth at the show and a few German companies were there to "look into the market opportunities starting to develop in North America".

Meanwhile, we've got another great issue. Many thanks to all of our contributing authors.

Firstly, I've written the first of what I hope will be several articles featuring innovative projects visited in Southern California. This one is about PARKING IN A SOLAR GROVE that covers the parking lot of Kyocera in San Diego. One of the best examples I've seen of an innovative solution that could change the face of our cities.

Another nice niche solution is discussed in MOBILE SOLAR POWER by Dylan Wood. A powerplant on wheels could have some terrific applications if you think about it.

How about integrating PV cells right into a roofing membrane. Michael Gumm tells us about it in SOLUTIONS FOR BUILDING INTEGRATED PHOTOVOLTAICS.

Yes, solar power is the talk of the town these days but lets not forget some of the other solutions to our energy problems. FUEL CELLS BREATHE EASY IN GREAT OUTDOORS talks about recreational uses of fuel cells. In OIL AND COAL IN THE 21ST CENTURY, Toby Kinkaid opens our minds to the idea of “growing” oil and coal fuels in bioreactors.

And what about installing a waste-to-energy plant at the site of a power-customer itself. Read GREEN BELGIAN CHOCOLATE? YUM to find out more.

THE MECHANICAL MATHEMATICIAN is about a cool mechanism to guide people in making good parabolic basins for making solar ovens!

For a bit of politics we have a few selections:

• INTERVIEW - STATUS OF THE ENERGY BILL - SCOTT SKLAR
• A FEDERAL ENERGY POLICY: CAN IT HAPPEN HERE? - Michael Vickerman

And a global dream of Bill James is to FIRE THE OIL INDUSTRY AS THE MONOPOLY VENDOR.

For a bit of good advice read TELL THEM WHAT YOU GOT - STRAIGHT by Steve Clemens. He discusses the importance of honesty in labeling.

Lastly, James Post talks about GREEN TRAVEL and how he is striving to create a utopian resort in the Caribbean.

Enjoy the issue and please be sure to let us know your thoughts.

Bob Hetherington