the conservative Christian religious sect known for their plain dress and abhorrence for modern conveniences such as automobiles and electricity is embracing solar power

In Holmes County, Ohio, home to the world?s largest Amish community, an estimated 80% of Amish families now have photovoltaic panels.

Another reason they are embracing solar power is to avoid connecting to the electric grid, something they feel would endanger their efforts to remain separated from the rest of American society.

And in an unusual turn of events, green techies, including the advocacy group Green Energy Ohio, are now looking to what many once considered a technologically backward community for alternative energy innovations