There are two methods of addressing the energy problem": a demand-side approach and a supply-side approach. the demand-side approach is the more difficult to implement. No number of consumption points are going to reduce but we can minimize the conventional source of energy bills by using non conventional energy-saving measures such as use of compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) are easy to implement and require no co-operation of staff.

The supply-side approach looks at ways by which an establishment can actually generate energy at litle or no recurring cost. Solar energy devices are no longer considered "Fringe Technology" and offer a partial but very practical and economical solution to the energy needs of a establishment. Solar Devices fall into two categories: Solar Photovoltaic (SPV) and Solar Thermal. Their importance lies in the fuel that they use: Free natural sun light. Solar Energy offers Numerous advantages, Chief amongst them being no recurring cost in energy generation and freedom from inflation in fuel costs: Insignificant maintenance cost: there are no moving parts and nothing to burn: and pollution-free-there are no fumes or gases, no noise, no vibration.

Solar energy does however have one disadvantage. Being dependent on sunlight, energy is generated during sunny days. With a heavy cloudy cover or at night generation declines to zero but then solar energy can be stored and put to use later on.

Solar Thermal Devices

Solar Thermal Devices are those which use the sun's energy to heat an object. In a Solar Hot Water System, Input water is allow to flow to a series of copper tubes, laid in a bed of insulating material and covered by glass. The copper tubes have fins which increase surface area exposed to the sun and are selectively coated with a special black material which efficiently absorbs heat from the sun. The whole assembly is known as a Solar Collector or Solar Panel.