How do you feel about using solar-powered appliances or other installations at home?

Hello, I'm a student conducting a short open-ended survey to get a feel of how solar-powered installations at home will be perceived and received by the average person. Your responses will help me develop a sustainable product for residential use. Feel free to respond and send me your comments. Thank you very much for helping! - MariaCGL

How do you feel about using solar-powered appliances or other installations at home?
We used to have solar pannels on our roof that powered some lightbulbs in our house. This was in the Philippines more than 10 years ago. It seemed to work, although I think there was some sort of back up power since we had lights even during cloudy and stormy days. I suppose it would be nice to have solar powered appliances as long as it has a backup power source for those short and cloudy winter days. I think it would be great to have some sockets that are connected to a mini station that is constatntly being recharged by solar power. That way you can plug anything in the socket and recharge your moblie or use a hair dryer or reading lamp. It would also be handy for those rare days of power cuts so that even if the main power source is cut due to a storm or something, you will still be able to use those little essential appliances by plugging them into the sockets. I hope this helps!
Reply:Sure, I'd like to do my bit if I can afford it! I don't see lots of companies selling them around though, where do you find them anyway?
Reply:I don't know if it's worth the investment as they're too expensive. Maybe if it's a community expense. ANyway it's great to see new stuff coming out, everyone is so into this global warming thing. Good luck to you!
Reply:Solar powered security lights are great, they are just a bit too expensive still about $89. Solar power is great, I've built project's using them, I also built a small working Hydro-electric generator, able to run off a lab sink. Solar powered chargers and ventilators are VERY useful on sail boats, and Satellites get all of their power from solar panels.
Reply:It would be great if each appliance were "self-reliable" and had their own access to alternative energy. The microwave, the fridge, or and the TV! I'm surprised technology in this area seems to be so slow, the solar panels I;ve seen in the seventies still look the same today. Yeah if you could show us something original please!
Reply:I've seen that solar-powered bikini, pretty cool idea. I think there's a need for alternative energy to be more popular and common. So yeah, if you could show us a way of putting it to use at home that would be great!