Now here's a solar panel installation business I could really get into:

It's a two-piece bikini with photovoltaic film strips attached strategically to various parts of the clothing, so that you can charge your gadgets while you're catching some rays. Better yet, the charging takes place via those rays.

Now here's a http://www.htlounge.net/articles/3061/1/Solar-powered-Bikini-Charges-Your-Mobile-While-You-Have-A-Sunbathesolar panel installation business I could really get into

As much as I admire you, Rand, I'll thank you not to begin wearing a bikini, photovoltaic or otherwise. ;^)

photovoltaic Speedos

true first sign of the Apocolypse

Apocolypse ?

I'm all for making good use of the sun that beats down at you at the beach, but surely electricity is not the most useful product. Who brings their laptop to the beach? Or, more precisely, who that looks good in a bikini brings a laptop to the beach?

Surely the more pressing need is liquid refreshment. A better use of the solar power is some kind of photosynthesizing and water-vapor harvesting machinery which would manufacture some sweet, refreshing liquid, and reduce the need for accessory boyfriends to lug the cooler full of Fresca from the parking lot.

I leave to the imagination of more competent engineers the question of exactly how the liquid refreshment would be dispensed. I only suggest two spigots, for aesthetic reasons symmetrically placed, so that if one spigot is dysfunctional or already in use the other is available.

Uh Carl, I'm pretty sure this post was just an excuse for Rand to indulge his bikini clad mannequin fetish.

Right there with ya' old chap *wink* *wink* *nod* *nod* SAY...NO...MORE!!

Hilarious stuff but I think the photovoltaic burqa beats this easily (as seen on Iranian beaches?).

Supercharge that laptop, and ipod, and cellphone, etc... all at the same time ^_^

This, of course, is a ploy by us conservative Christians to promote public morality. First, one piece swimsuits will become the norm as people want more surface area to power their personal electronics. Then We have to use some leg area too, until swimsuits are about as revealing as a jogging outfit.

(begin maniacal laugh) wahhahahahahaha!

Won't work, Jeff. You'll just bring parasols back in fashion. Big parasols. With weighted handles to prevent being blown to London, Mary Poppins style, when the wind picks up.

But if we get parasols, aren't bonnets sure to follow? I guess they'll look kind of silly on us guys...