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Using Passive Solar Energy

August 21st, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed

Passive Solar Energy

Solar panels are used to create the type of solar energy that does not require mechanical aid known as passive solar energy. This type of technology uses the sun’s rays to provide heating and cooling of water and air. If you are building a new home you can take advantage of this technology to create passive solar energy to heat or cool your home. Your home can be designed in such a way that it is angled to best collect the sun’s rays. The altitude of the sun in winter and summer, the geographical location of your home are all variables in utilizing passive solar energy. One example of home use of passive solar energy would be a sunroom, or solarium.

Passive solar energy can be used based on the construction of a house to supply energy for heat, and to cool your home. Heat is ventilated into your home after storage. You can also heat your water using passive solar energy. It has been noted that solar panels used to generate passive solar energy to heat water generate more power than those used for generating electricity. Maybe we should call passive solar energy, straight sun power.

The trick to passive solar energy is that it doesn’t have to convert solar energy into electricity, thus losing a certain amount of energy in the process. What you’re left with is a more efficient heating and cooling system than you would have if you converted solar energy into electricity and then used that solar energy for your water heater, electric heat registers, and air conditioners.

However, you may want to complement the cooling aspect of this system with a dehumidifier or two to take the humidity out of the air, which can make the cooling feel a lot more efficient, or you may even want to have an air conditioner for back up for particularly hot days that reach degrees in the three digits. People in Texas and Nevada, Arizona, will need this.

Solar panels may cover about one third of the total square feet of your home. Whether you are using panels for passive solar energy or solar energy for electricity, or both, the cost savings is worth it. In time it will pay for the initial cost of installation and if you are in a position where you can generate more energy than you require you may be able to sell the excess energy into the grid. Have your home solar energy system installed professionally and you will be in a position to enjoy free energy that will not damage the environment and provide great benefits to your family. And it should also increase the value of your home.