Besides being the obvious source of almost all life on Earth and being a natural disinfectant, Sunlight is now an undisputed and important source of power or electricity. The use of solar power is a trend that is getting more and more popular world over and hopefully should lead to a considerable reduction in the use of conventional use of power generation through coal, a major source of carbon di oxide emission and consequent global warming.

Being born and brought up in Dubai, in my last 10 years, I have seen a marked increase in the awareness about solar power and considerable use of solar panels in industrial and municipal operations. Among various solar powered projects that are in the pipeline, I recently came across a news report about a park in Dubai that is going to be transformed and will run completely on solar power. Once the renovation work is completed by the end of this year, the Satwa Reservoir Park will be the first solar powered park in Dubai, which will rely entirely on solar energy without using the public electricity connection to operate its light fittings or irrigation system.I am sure that UAE/Dubai government plans to go ahead full steam, with many more such projects. 

While such projects at the community or government level are definitely going to help us cut down our power consumption, I have been wondering what we can do as individuals to make optimum use of solar power at our homes. In most homes in UAE, sunlight is used only to dry washed clothes or make pickles! It is perhaps the most abundant, most economical and yet the most underused resource of the country. While I hope that in the years to come the government is going to switch to solar panels as an alternate source of energy, I am waiting for solar powered household products to come in the local market. In my grandfather's house in Delhi, he uses solar cooker for cooking food, solar lamps for lighting and also solar powered chargers for mobile phones etc. Till date I have not come across any such products in the UAE. I have written to the authorities to source such products and encourage their use in every household. I am keeping my eyes and ears open for any opportunity to suggest this as a great business venture to anyone looking at starting a new business!