We talk about solar energy as if it is mainly thermal or PV installations. But fall always jolts my conscious with a different view. Nature is a huge solar collector which we utilize on a much larger scale. Mostly I'm thinking about photosynthesis or plants. We use some of it directly (firewood) and some for food. But the bulk of natures output falls back into the carbon cycle and produces the next generation of plants. A few biomass installations exist to produce gas and in some places plants were feed to animals as a heat source (integrated house and animal shelters). I'm sure there are other energy systems driven by plants and wonder if we have a resource here that is utilized to its full potential. There was discovery of a organism that produced electricity a few years ago, but it did not lead to anything. Also, some marine animals produce electricity. Nature has found various ways to use plants and many result in heat. So, maybe someday we will find a better way to utilize the energy absorbed by trees. Meanwhile, the sun is fading into winter here and the trees are giving up their leaves or dehydrating themselves. We have filled our pantry with canned plant material (energy?). Our clothing has changed to match the weather and our activities changed to embrace the coming winter. jeff
