Teach Children about Solar Energy with Solar Toys

My grandfather also loved electronics, but being from an earlier time in history, his involvement was with radio electronics...an interest developed when he was in the Navy and was to become part of his career in the Air Force.

And I can't forget my husband, he also loves electronics, but his love is more focused on the workings of electricity itself than engineering. 

So, there is where my fascination comes from. I may have to buy some solar toys for my husband because he loves fun and gadgets, and wish my dad and grandfather were around to see all the new and amazing things that are being discovered in the field of solar power. They saw the beginnings of it, but green energy has come a long way, and still has a long way to go. Toys like the ones on this page may just inspire your child's future career

Image Credit: swpc.noaa.gov

Here is a little information I found that might help you to turn fun time into a learning experience, things to share while the children play or to use as part of a curriculum. 

• Solar technology began as early as the mid-1800's. 
• Interest in solar technology ebbed and flowed depending upon what was currently happening in the heating industry.
• The earliest interest was inspired by the thought that coal would become scarce, then when coal and oil seemed plentiful, interest in researching solar energy was put aside.
• With the increased interest in sustainable living, living off the land and off the power grid came an increased interest in solar power around the mid-1960's and early 1970's.  Still, it is estimated that only a few homes homes in the USA were cooled and heated entirely by solar power in the mid-1970's. 
• When the oil embargo of the early 1970's and energy crisis of the late 1970's took place, interest in changing energy policies globally brought renewed interest in solar technology.

Since that time the interest in solar power continues to increase and decline with the rise and fall of oil prices. The trend now is for solar power and since many have continued to pursue this technology in spite of the trends, almost anyone can energize their homes completely or partially with solar energy, and of course, we can enjoy wonderful solar powered gadgets and toys like you see on this page.