Harnessing Residential Solar Power Without Substantial Initial Investment

Residential solar power is not only found in solar power systems using PV panels and inverters. One of the easiest ways to minimize a home’s dependance on traditional energy sources is by utilizing passive solar energy techniques while designing a new home. Passive solar power doesn’t use mechanical devices so can reduce your energy costs without introducing any risks of system breakdowns. When designing a home, using these techniques will create a home that is more cost effective as well as minimizing environmental impact.

Passive solar techniques will use all the buildings traditional elements such as windows, floors, walls and roofs as well as exterior elements and landscaping to capture and control heat generated from the sun. To fully utilize the potential residential solar power available, the design must balance the energy requirements of the home with the site and window placement.

Due south is the best placement for maximum sun through the windows but anywhere up to 30 degrees off will still capture a lot of solar power. When this energy comes in through the windows, it creates heat which is captured by the materials used in the floors and walls of the home. By using materials that are heavy and dense in the floors and walls, this heat is trapped and released slowly into the air. Stone, quarry tile, and brick are good materials for control of the solar energy in that they slowly release the heat and help avoid overheating.

A key element to using passive residential solar power effectively is by using high performance windows. High performance windows will have insulated frames, special coatings and inert gas fills to reduce heat loss up to 75% over standard double glazed windows. By strategically placing the high performance windows where they will take advantage of any southern exposure, you will be maximizing the amount of solar energy captured.

Once the solar power has heated the house, it is crucial that the construction is as airtight as possible and that it is very well insulated. This will help to minimize heat loss and allow for better control over the distribution of the heat provided. Once the heat has been contained, a basic ceiling fan will help distribute the heat evenly throughout the house.

Solar power has been used extensively in agricultural areas for many years. Greenhouse grown vegetables are available year round in the supermarket as a direct result of harnessing solar energy. Residential solar power is beginning to become more popular in the US but the costs of full home solar energy systems are still out of reach for some. By taking advantage of passive solar power when building your new home, you will cut your home energy costs for minimal expense.

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