Solar power may not be solely for the wealthy much longer. Solar power is experiencing an investment boom, which will likely boost production while dropping the price of individual panels.

While some governments offer subsidies to entice residents to install solar power, many developing nations just don't have the finances to shoulder the cost. Reuters describes the state of solar in many areas of the world.

In Germany, a typical household can earn over 2,000 euros a year - twice as much as their electricity bill - from government subsidies from installing solar panels. They can pay off all costs within 10 years and earn profit in another 10 years. Seems like a pretty sweet deal, right?

In one state in India, private firms and government subsidies have pushed the alternative energy in the last few years, giving discounts on power bills if residents install solar panels. In a country where 60 percent of the country's households are without power, many rely on kerosene lamps and one solar panel can cost a year's salary, subsidies like this are necessary to give people any sort of electricity.

If investment in the technology continues at such a rapid pace, solar panels will drop in price, making it a more conceivable purchase for poorer nations, and economy solar panels may become affordable even to the rural poor who live off-grid. Such a push for affordable, clean power from investors, government officials and organizations such as the World Bank and Green Cross International really has the potential to give people around the world a brighter outlook for the future.