| There are a variety of ways to implement solar | | | | loop and closed loop systems. In open loop |
| power for home energy and save money. | | | | systems, the sun heats water in pipes which is |
| So-called passive solar design heats, cools and | | | | then circulated for family use. Swimming pools are |
| brings natural light into your home inexpensively | | | | often heated this way. Closed loop systems |
| through intelligent design. Active systems like solar | | | | enclose a mixture of water and antifreeze in |
| electricity and solar heating provide power for | | | | pipes. Heat exchangers heat the water the family |
| appliances, and hot water for laundry, showers, | | | | uses and consumes. Closed loop systems are |
| cooking, and cleaning. | | | | often the choice in areas that are prone to cold |
| Whether you're planning your solar home or | | | | weather. |
| converting an existing home, consider which | | | | Active solar electricity. You can use photovoltaic |
| options are most efficient, and cost effective for | | | | (PV) cells to absorb sunshine and convert it into |
| using solar energy. | | | | electricity. The energy produced by the PV cells |
| Passive solar. A passive solar system doesn't | | | | must be inverted to DC (direct current) your |
| make use of special equipment to enhance the | | | | appliances can use. You can use the solar |
| heating, cooling and natural light. It leverages the | | | | electricity directly to supplement your metered |
| environment to accomplish great reductions in | | | | power, or store the electricity in a battery. With |
| energy use. | | | | enough surface area, solar panels can convert |
| Building wide eaves for example blocks the | | | | enough sunshine into electricity to power the |
| steep-angled rays of the summer sun while | | | | entire house. You'll likely want a back up generator |
| welcoming the low-angled sun of the wintertime. | | | | in case of an energy shortfall. |
| And bringing brick or stone inside the house can | | | | Passive solar systems are most effective when |
| provide surfaces the sun can heat that will radiate | | | | designed in from the beginning. Active systems |
| warmth throughout the day and into the evening. | | | | can be added to a house after it has been built. |
| You can design a south facing window to let sun | | | | Even if your home site is well established you can |
| in and choose furniture and flooring that will | | | | get into active solar electricity on a small scale |
| absorb and redistribute heat. An attached Trombe | | | | quite inexpensively. Even if you start small with |
| wall collects heat. Fans and thermal mass | | | | solar panels, you have the potential over time to |
| distribute the heat throughout the home. | | | | generate enough solar power for home energy to |
| Active solar heating. Solar water heating is | | | | take your house off the electric grid altogether. |
| common in solar homes. You'll find two kinds: open | | | | |