Microgeneration is the generation of zero or low-carbon heat and power by individuals, small businesses and communities to meet their own needs. Microgeneration technologies include small scale wind turbines, water turbines, ground source heat pumps, solar thermal collectors, solar electricity and MicroCHP installations.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microgeneration

The Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE) provides comprehensive information regarding state, local, utility, and federal incentives that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency. The DSIRE database is useful for anyone who wants to stay abreast of current incentives such as loans, tax rebates, net meetering, access laws, and other information important to solar energy professionals and do-it-yourself types.

The Home Depot, one of the United States’ largest retailers of home improvement and construction products, has teamed with BP Solar to offer professionally installed solar power systems. The company offers customers the ability to sign-up online for a free consultation.

Undoubtedly, the marketing efforts of The Home Depot will help to bring solar power options to the attention of mainstream America, and the company’s supply chain and purchasing power may help to reduce costs for average residential solar installations. Furthermore, by generating additional demand for solar installation materials and services, the company promotes further investment into the solar energy market.

Is the promotion of solar energy by one of the largest home improvement retailers a sign that solar energy is beginning to hit prime time? Although solar isn’t currently cost competitive with other energy sources, it will be interesting to observe as solar begins to bloom, especially in states with strong subsidies and incentives for solar installations.

A solar cell or photovoltaic cell is a device that converts light energy into electrical energy. Sometimes the term solar cell is reserved for devices intended specifically to capture energy from sunlight, while the term photovoltaic cell is used when the light source is unspecified.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_cell

Photovoltaics, or PV for short, is a solar power technology that uses solar cells or solar photovoltaic arrays to convert light from the sun into electricity. Photovoltaics is also the field of study relating to this technology and there are many research institutes devoted to work on photovoltaics.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photovoltaics