Don't be too impressed with solar panels on your roof.
Photovoltaic technology may be relatively new in human history, but a lot of lower tech preceded it.
Civilizations as far back as ancient China found ways to make maximum use of the sun's power in their homes and lives.
Author John Perlin cites the history in his book Let It Shine: The 6000-Year Story of Solar Energy, and points the way to a possible post-carbon pro-solar future.