With solar, even households in outlying regions could be electrically self-supported. Passive solar cells can also be used to heat water for household use, thereby replacing conventional hot-water heaters. Solar power critics argue that disposing of solar cells could be hazardous to the environment since toxic chemicals are used in their manufacture. You can recycle the cells, and they're probably not more poisonous than most of our water supplies. Not exactly reassuring, but in the quest to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions, the benefits of solar power are undeniable.
Fuel cells can make that dream come true.
They generate electricity by splitting hydrogen atoms into electrons and protons. The electrons then travel through a circuit board within tablet-like cells, and their trip creates electricity that runs the vehicle's electric motor. The cells generate enough energy to power a car to speeds of up to 60 mph. The cells can power large vehicles, too. The leading cell maker, Ballard Power Systems of Canada, recently sold three bus prototypes to the Chicago Transit Authority, which plans to use the technology to power its buses.