The next step, though, is something that no SaaS vendors offers and it shows the power of adding open source to the SaaS model.

FORBES: A New Open-Source Model For SaaS

Personally, I just think that solar makes the most sense as an energy technology, and the tech innovations in solar power are such that I expect it to be the most common source of power before the century is out.

FORBES: The Cost of Solar Power Is Expected to Decline 50% Over the Next Decade

The general concept is known as energy harvesting, which simply refers to the gathering of energy from one source and applying it to power an object.

CNN: Are we heading for a human-powered future?