the following website describes a neat technology, using off-the-shelf parts, for getting electricity and hot water from sunlight:
http://www.technologyreview.com/Energy/17169/ [1]
Do you happen to know anybody in the San Diego Co. or Orange Co. area that has made one of these?
yours truly,
Matthew R. Marler, Ph.D.
Links:
[1] http://www.technologyreview.com/Energy/17169/
[2] http://www.ucan.org/drupal/drupal/forum/forums/energy/energy_saving_ideas/how_can_we_use_energy_more_efficiently