Due to the sky rocketing cost of fuel to heat their homes, people started experimenting with other means of heating. Some of them turned to the sun. Collectors were built out of two fiberglass sheets, an aluminum sheet, insulation and fans. The panels constructed by Bill Goter of Carrington were 4x8 shallow rectangular boxes, painted a heat absorbent black inside and covered with fiberglass, all at a cost of about $100 to construct. Fans which turn on automatically when temperature is 10 degrees distribute the gathered heat which is enough to warm 1,400 square foot house.
In summer time the collectors are removed and replaced by screens.
Other people in the area are using this type of heat. Experiments are being conducted for methods to store heat, partially to heat water before it goes into the water heater and other uses.
Source: A History of Foster County 1983 Page 124