Passive solar done right
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We have the experience and tools to help you harness the power of the sun by using proven passive solar design techniques.
The power of the sun is delivered to every location on earth, free of charge. We must consider the benefits of placing our alternative energy generators at the point of use. I believe that this idea is unpopular, because it makes it hard for someone else to bill us for energy. If we can minimize energy transportation, we will also lower the cost of energy. While it is economically impractical to create all of our energy needs at every home site, we can create substantial savings.
Photovoltaic technology is theoretically able to convert up to 25% of the sunlight to electricity. In areas that do not require large amounts of energy for heating, this is a viable investment. It also invites big business to participate and make a profit. (G.E., Sharp, Kyocera, etc.) When your energy consumption is weighted towards heating a space, you must address your insulation and optimize your solar heat gains. A passive solar collector (sunspace, trombe wall, etc.) can be up to 70% efficient in converting sunlight into heat. When properly designed, your sunspace will avoid overheating during the warmer months and collect the proper amount of sunlight as you move through the heating season. You can make this a component of new construction and have a relatively small increase in cost.
As our natural resources are depleted, we will have to bear the burden of rising energy costs. When the environmental impacts of the way that we create energy are considered, we would be totally irresponsible to neglect the benefits of solar heating. After nearly thirty years of involvement with solar design, my expectations have fallen drastically short of reality. The bright spots have been increases in the efficiencies for insulations, windows, doors and accepted construction practices. The lack of low to medium cost passive solar homes is disappointing when our neighbors have to struggle with the decision to pay the heat bill or to buy groceries.
Passive solar heating works and it is up to the individual to employ its’ use. The nature of Government policy will not encourage alternative energy to be handed over to the people, when we have perfectly good corporations that can profit from its’ exploitation. The good news is that they do not have to provide us with something that we already have. We just have to position our homes to take advantage of what is already there.