Hemp is an extraordinarily useful plant that can provide more environmentally friendly food, fiber, fuel, medicinal and building products.

While many are seeking to climb the material ladder in life, others have reached the upper rungs and found out it's not all it's cracked up to be; choosing to set a different course - downshifting. For others, particularly in this economic climate, downshifting is more a forced phenomenon. Either way, downshifting means less consumption - and that's good for the environment.

A solar power system is made up of just a few components, but each is critical in its operation. For example, the voltage from a panel is different to mains power; so how is it converted? With an inverter - learn more in this article in my continuing series on renewable energy options.