By 2020, life as we know it today will seem prehistoric. You will probably not pine for the good old days of loud, fossil-fueled lawnmowers or televisions that plug into the wall.

Consider the facts…did you know that in just one minute, the sun gives the earth enough energy to meet its power needs for a whole year? That’s right…while many consumers are worrying about the impact of their fuel consumption on the environment and fuel bills, a clean energy source is shining down on us all day. More and more homeowners are harnessing that energy by installing a solar panel in their homes or on products around the home and enjoying a decrease in their fuel bills as well as a peace of mind knowing that they are decreasing our earth’s pollution.

An increase in the number of homes using solar panels is making – and will continue to make – everyday items around your home obsolete. And because solar technology has advanced so much over the past 20 years, manufacturers are offering these products at more affordable prices. Following are just some of the items around your home that are on their way out as the popularity of solar energy increases.

1. Solar Water Heaters: This is one of the most useful and most popular appliances used for saving energy. Not only because they provide a sufficient amount of hot water, but because they save a lot of nonrenewable energy as well. They can work anywhere, regardless of the climate.

2. Solar Chargers: These chargers are an ideal alternative to conventional chargers for all types of small devices such as cell phones, MP3 players, etc., that require little power. More and more manufacturers of these smaller devices are now offering solar charges at a very affordable price. Some of the larger companies are even offering a universal charger which can be adapted to several different products. These chargers are so popular in part because of their ability to work when there is no electricity present and can provide peace of mind in an emergency situation

3. Solar Lights And Batteries: These products are at the top of many consumers’ “green” lists. When fully charged solar lights can work outdoors for as many as 15 hours, even if the sun isn’t shining. Use of these products is much cheaper than conventional methods and they are virtually maintenance-free.

4. Solar Toys: Who doesn’t like frolicking outside on a sunny day? Toy manufacturers are jumping on the solar bandwagon by offering a variety of toys that are completely solar-powered. Virtually any toy you can think of that previously required electrical charging is now being offered in a solar model. There are also great kits available that educate your children on the basics of solar energy by the use of experiments.

5. Solar Screens: Traditional window treatments in your home can add aesthetic appeal, but protection from the sun is often limited. They not only allow a lot of light into the home, but heat as well, resulting in higher cooling bills. Solar screens address both this issues and safeguard your eyes from too much glare. They can also reduce damage to your furniture caused by sunlight. It is a very affordable option which will pay for it in a very short period of time, making them the ideal alternative to traditional window blinds and cloth shades.

6. Solar Garden Products: In addition to solar outdoor lighting, there are products available that can drive pesky moles and rodents away from your yard. Powered by a NiCad battery, they have proven to be effective both day and night. A similar product is available that works to repel mosquitoes by sending out a sonic wave to drive them off. There are also a number of entertaining outdoor garden products that are solar-powered, such as waterfalls and audio systems.

7. Solar Patio Umbrella with Nightlight: For those of you who like spending your evening hours in the backyard, this is a must-have for your patio. The solar patio umbrella soaks up and stores the sunlight all day, then converts it into free electricity that you can use all evening. In this case, the solar panel is integrated right into the fabric and you can use the electricity for anything that you would normally have to use an electrical outlet to operate.

8. Solar Pool Heater: This is a very practical way to heat the water for your pool/spa. By running water in direct circulation systems through a solar collector, the water in your pool/spa will always be the perfect temperature. Solar Pool Heating provides you and your family with a cost-effective and environmentally conscious way to keep your pool warm and inviting even during the winter months.

9. Solar-Powered Air Conditioning: When engineered to run on solar energy, absorption chiller air conditioning units provide the lowest cost to operate and the best return on investment of any air conditioning system in the world. Solar air conditioning units can be used anywhere that the sun shines and they are low in operating and maintenance costs. They consume little or no electrical energy - essentially the only parts that use electricity are low amp fan motors and small pumps.