Western China, southern India, California—these regions are solar-power leaders. But the sun’s energy is being harvested in some far-less-likely spots as well. Here’s a sampler:

Solar energy as a resource for human beings has been around for a very long time—but as an industry, it’s a relative newcomer, taking off in the wake of World War II and growing fast today. Here are some of the highlights of solar history:

From rooftop receivers to multimillion-panel arrays, solar power is changing the way everyone from private citizens to national leaders to international organizations think about power generation. And the researchers and engineers expanding and improving solar are coming up with ingenious answers to the questions it poses.

As you’re preparing to install a solar array on the rooftop of your home, you want to make sure you do it right. It’s important to consider a number of factors when getting your roof ready for a solar installation.

Modern solar systems don’t just generate free, clean, renewable energy. They also keep you informed—sometimes every 30 seconds or so—about how they’re performing for you and your household.

Although it might seem complicated, there’s not much you need to do to ensure your solar panels are in tip-top shape! Here are a few things you probably should know when it comes to your solar panels.

Once you’ve made the decision to go solar, you’ll want to be sure that your system, once installed, is operating at peak efficiency at all times. There are a number of factors that help your system’s performance, including shade, orientation, temperature, system age, and maintenance.

You might be surprised to find out that your solar panels are one of the most low-maintenance appliance in (or on top of) your home. The minimal contact necessary with your solar panels is a major reason why they are such a massive investment for your home.

We’ve all gotten used to a world of disposable technology, in which our latest “must have” gadgets need to be replaced with upgrades, updates and—inevitably—upcharges on an all-too-frequent basis.