At Epcot I couldn’t resist purchasing myself a small panda I saw in the Japan pavilion. (We’re going to ignore the obvious question of “Why didn’t you buy it in China?”) First off, it’s a panda and how can you resist that? Secondly, it was one of those cute unnecessary waving pandas, powered by a small solar panel the size of one placed in a calculator. It leans it’s head back and forth and waves a piece of golden bamboo at you. (Ah, such is an easy life) This panda, who hasn’t been given a name yet, has his solar panel on the side instead of on the top of the machine, but manages to get enough solar power nonetheless. I have yet to figure out a perfect spot for the new addition to my room/house, but he will definitely be waving to someone very soon.

It made me wonder, if one small solar panel the size of my Centrum Cardio pill I (should) take every morning can power a small waving panda or a panel the size of 3/4ths of a credit card can charge a battery to light a small light for five hours, what sized panels do I need to power a crock pot? How many batteries would I need to charge up so that it could pump a constant heat to my crock pot and produce some wonderful chili?

When I was younger, solar panel calculators felt like the peak of solar energy. While there is technology out there, I feel as though a lot of the items that have arrived into the marketplace have become quite cosmetic. Yes, there is a use for solar lights to light the way to your front door, and yes, you only pay the up-front fee (plus replacement batteries), but where are all the cool solar powered items? Hell, I still would kill for a hand-crank phone/iPod charger. I think if people want to throw around big “green” words, then maybe they should start selling alternate energy items at your local mega-mart.