Lightbulbs, water heaters, and even the beach bags sold at The Energy Store in Hollywood have an energy-efficient twist.

Those bags, for example, have a solar panel on the front that's designed to recharge batteries (and some phones) while you frolic in the surf.

A portable solar oven uses shiny fold-out reflectors to direct heat to the food. No fuel necessary, although be prepared to wait a while.

Paul Farren, the environmental enthusiast who runs the store, said he used the oven to make soup. ''We cooked it for about two hours at a rolling boil,'' he said. ``The thermometer said it was 325 degrees. It was really good -- it could have cooked a little longer, the beans were slightly al dente.''

For browsers who want to see the sun's power at work, the electrical appliances in one section of the store run on solar panels mounted outside. The ceiling fan whirls. The lights turn on. And the solar refrigerator and freezer keep ice, Popsicles and sodas perfectly frosty.

Farren, formerly in the broadcast equipment field, is eager to show people how to reduce standard energy consumption. He participates in various environmental organizations, including Hollywood's Green Team Advisory Committee.

In addition to promoting a healthier planet, he points out how energy-efficient products reduce utilities' fees. And many products that run on sun or wind power are handy for boats, camping or during electrical failures.

Among the most beneficial solar products, Farren said, are water heaters. Using the sun to warm the water, rather than standard electricity, saves a significant amount on utilities fees, he said. Solar water heaters cost about $4,600 installed. Rebates help reduce that amount, and the money saved on the free hot water repays the price of the equipment in about four or five years, Farren said.

For a simple way to save power, switch out standard lightbulbs with compact fluorescents. Farren has designed a line of those that he says brighten the room instantly, without the usual delay.

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