According to an article in this week’s San Francisco Chronicle, Californians in general and Bay Areans in particular are warming up to solar energy in a big way. A recent survey by nonprofit group NorCal Solar finds that the Bay Area alone has enough panels to provide electricity to 61,725 homes, while statewide the output of solar installations is equivalent to that of a mid-size power plant. (more…)

If you’re thinking seriously about installing a solar energy system on your roof, but aesthetics are a big issue, help’s on the way. Available in a variety of styles and form factors, solar shingles do double duty protecting your home from the elements and converting sunlight into electricity. Plus, they’re made of thin, flexible material rather than bulky panels, so they blend well with the architectural detail of your roof. They can work well with an existing roof, but they’re an especially attractive choice if you’re about to get a new one — that way, they can be incorporated into the design from the beginning for a more beautiful and efficient result.

Updated 11/1/2007: We just added more information about Solar Roof Shingles.