Home Solar Power
Home solar power can be easily achieved through a combination of methods. The most effective and efficient use of solar power for homes is by blending both passive and active design features of solar energy technology.
Using Passive Solar Energy
for Home Solar Power
You don’t need any fancy equipment to start using the power of the sun today. Instead of using your electric or even gas-powered clothes dryer, use the sun. Hang your clothes outside.
Make use of the sun for natural lighting and heating in your home. Open blinds and curtains during sunny days and install skylights and/or high windows to let the light shine in.
Homes can be especially designed to take full advantage of the sun’s power. You can use building materials that absorb the heat from the sun. Placing your windows facing in the direction of the strongest sunlight, can help you capture the best light and most heat from the sun.
Thermal chimney ventilation systems keep a building cool without using air conditioning. By installing ceiling vents to allow warm air out and low vents near the ground to allow cool air in, the inside air is continually being cooled.
Solar Energy Collectors for
Active Solar Power
Active solar power makes use of solar collecting devices, ranging in size and complexity, but they all basically function in the same way and have many applications for home solar power use. They collect or absorb the sun’s rays and convert it to heat, then transfer the heat to air or water.
They can heat buildings, swimming pools, and water for the bathroom or laundry. Some examples of solar collectors are:
• Solar water heater
• Solar space heater
• Solar oven or solar cookers
• Solar pool heater
Flat-Plate Collectors Used for Solar Heating
Solar water heaters are most commonly flat-plate collectors that convert the light energy into heat energy. They are black-lined boxes with glass tops and equipped with a series of metal pipes and placed on roof tops. The sun shines through the top glass layer of the collector and is absorbed by the absorber plate heating the pipes. Water being pumped through the pipes is heated and returned to a holding tank where hot water is held until it is needed.
The same system is used for solar space heating, but instead of water air runs through the pipes, is heated then fanned back into the building.
Solar energy can also be “collected” for cooking. A solar cooker, or solar oven, uses shiny metal surfaces to concentrate light. Most cookers can reach between 200º and 300º F (93º and 149º C). Some can reach up to 450º F (232º C).
Resolving to Convert to Solar Energy
You can easily—figuratively speaking—convert your home to run entirely on
alternative energy sources
if you are so inclined to. In conjunction with solar collectors for home and water heating, an array of solar panels with
PV cells
can be used to provide electricity for your home. Technologically speaking, the means are available. The only thing stopping you is your own resolve and commitment.
Committing to conserving energy is the first, non-optional step towards a path into home solar power. Your energy consumption must naturally become more efficient and less wasteful so you make the most of the sun's energy.
Related Articles
Alternative Energy Sources
Commonly referred to as green energy, or clean energy, alternative energy sources do not harm the environment or us.
Concentrating Solar Power
Concentrating solar power (CSP) systems turn solar energy into electricity by collecting and focusing the sun’s rays.
Photovoltaic Cell in Solar Panels
Photovoltaic cell technology is now used worldwide to power calculators, watches, road signs, traffic lights, marine buoys, and in remote locations where there is no access to electricity. Even satellites and space shuttles use PV power.
Solar Energy Is the Best Alternative
The sun radiates huge amounts of energy and only a small fraction actually makes it to earth. Even so, the sun alone provides enough energy to support our planet.
Return to Top of Home Solar Power Page
Return to Home Page
|
