How To Use Solar Energy In Your Home

To Help Yourself And The Environment

It's hard to imagine an eco-home that doesn't make use of solar energy in some way or another. Many people think of active solar systems with solar panels generating electricity when they think of using solar energy in their home. But there are many ways to take advantage of this free renewable energy. Many passive solar applications don't require any investment at all, except the time required for thoughtful design.

Active Solar vs. Passive Solar

The use of solar energy is basically divided into two categories: active and passive. Active solar technology uses photovoltaic cells, sometimes called solar cells, to generate electricity from sunlight. The cells are arranged in solar panels and positioned to optimise exposure to the sun's rays.

When the sunlight strikes the cells a chemical reaction produces an electrical charge. This direct current (DC) electricity is passed through an inverter to change it to alternating current (AC) electricity. It is then either stored in batteries for use in your home or passed into the grid.

Active solar energy systems are generally quite complex and costly. However, if you're building in a remote location an active solar system can be less expensive than tying into the grid. And of course, once you've recouped the cost of your intitial installation you'll have free power ever after.

On the other hand, passive solar does not involve generation of electricity. Rather, it is incorporated into the design of a building or appliance so that the sun's energy is best used to provide heat or light.

Passive solar principles incorporated into your new home or renovation design may not require any extra investment of dollars, but will provide a more comfortable home and substantial savings on heating, cooling and lighting.

Commercially available passive solar applications include pre-packaged domestic hot water systems and swimming pool heating systems. These systems bring a good return on your investment dollar and are usually easy to retrofit into an existing home.

Advantages Of Using Solar Energy

• it's free after initial recovery of equipment cost


• it's clean: it does not create any pollution


• supply is unlimited


• reduces or eliminates disruption from power outages


• less worry about rising energy costs


• depending where you live, there may be grants or other financial incentives available for some solar applications


• increases the value of your home

Disdvantages Of Using Solar Energy

• can only be used where there is sufficient sunlight


• energy gain is restricted to daylight hours


• some active solar generating systems may have a high cost upfront

How To Use Solar Energy In Your Home

Here are some ways you can use solar energy in your home. (These list items will become live links in the left menu bar as the pages with detailed information and resources are completed.)

• solar pool heating


• solar water heating


• solar air heating


• employ principles of passive solar house design


• solar house numbers and outdoor lighting


• solar attic vent


• solar still to purify drinking water


• solar tubes to provide indoor lighting


• active photovoltaic systems to generate electricity