With the global-warming documentary "An Inconvenient Truth" hot at the box office and a recent report by the U.N. laying the blame for climate change and rising sea levels at humanity's feet, renewable energy sources are getting a fresh look.
In particular, the spotlight is falling on solar power, which is expected to gain ground in Europe thanks in large measure to government support.
Generally seen pitched atop roofs, solar panels will soon be catching rays in myriad other ways: replacing windows and providing extra power to cars and vending machines, to name a few.