Solar Homes
Solar homes may entails many different types of residential
housing based upon the use of the sun's energy to create power
or heat for the house. When one thinks of solar homes, one is
generally referring to those that use photovoltaic panels to capture
the sun's energy and create electricity for the residence.
|
|
Solar homes save energy and money. |
Solar homes come in a few other types worth mentioning. Passive
solar homes are actually constructed without photovoltaic cells
in mind.
Passive solar homes use the thoughtful design of the house and
direction of the sunrays to warm the residence in winter and cool
it in summer.
Newer passive solar homes use the wood, air flow, insulation and
paneling to create a geothermal envelop by which warm and cool air
in the house will invert to create a comfortable climate. This type
of structure minimizes heat loss and gain for a more controlled
environment.
Solar thermal homes use the sun's energy to heat water. This heated
water can then be used to heat the house or swimming pool, reducing
the monthly utility bill especially in the winter months.
But, when most people talk about solar homes, they are thinking
solar electric since this technology will work in winter or summer
months and all months in-between. Photovoltaic cells and panels
will create electricity to run air conditioners as well as provide
heat.
Even the Vatican has decided to go solar as Pope Benedict XVI
has announced that the Paul VI auditorium will be rebuilt using
photovoltaic (PV) cells that will provide enough electricity to
power the building. The White House also uses solar panels to
reduce energy costs and lower its carbon footprint.
With industry experts forecasting the cost of PV cells and panels
to drop by 40-percent over the next two years, solar homes are
sure to become increasing popular.
If you live in the Golden State, you can take advantage of the
California Solar Incentive bill that Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
passed when he was in office that gives tax incentives to solar
homeowners.
|
But, no matter where you live, the
price of having a home powered by PV panels is coming down.
In the past few years their has been a worldwide shortage
of silica necessary to make the cells.
|
|
This shortage however has passed as recent cells use less silica
and some leading edge panels use no silica at all. A recent report,
however, has shown a glut of solar panels in the U. S. and China
so prices may come down because of this.
So, solar homes are no longer a pipe dream as the cost of the
pipe is being slashed and people are putting up new houses or
retrofitting older ones all the time to take advantage of the
heat and energy the sun has to offer. Then there are also solar
power purchase agreements to be had where you get the benefit
of solar power without actually owning the panels on your home.
Why not get active in creating your new solar home today?
|
