A Guide To Passive Solar Energy

By: Ryan Narendra

Often, when we think of solar energy , we envision it in the form of solar panels converting the sun's rays into electricity. While that is certainly a common form of solar energy, another method exists specifically for heating and cooling. By channelling the sun's rays toward or away from specific areas, vast amounts of energy can be used to provide heat, or heat can be vented away to dramatically cool an interior. Below is a brief introduction to the concepts behind passive solar energy.

Heating and cooling are among our largest uses of electricity. Besides that, maintaining substantial and sustained temperature differences between an inner and outer environment place extreme demands on our power grids. One need only look to the increased electric bills and costs of power during warmer months to see clear examples of this principle in action.

Passive solar energy addresses this challenge in a slightly different manner. In essence, the sun is the source of the need to maintain artificial vast temperature differences. If the sun's rays can be captured to provide heat, or directed away to cool, then much of this need is obviated. There may still be a need for heating and air conditioning, though correct use of passive solar energy can vastly lessen it.

Passive solar energy works similarly to its traditional form in that solar panels capture the sun's rays. Unlike traditional solar energy, the panels used are not photovoltaic. Rather, they capture more of the sun's energy as heat, not losing any in conversion to another form.

This energy's most obvious use is for heating. Not only can you heat your entire home via passive solar energy, but you can also replace inefficient gas or electric water heaters by heating water directly from the sun's rays.

A less obvious benefit to passive solar energy, however, is that it can be used to cool as well as heat. This is realized primarily by directing, either by design or later modification, sunlight away from building surfaces. This prevents the rays from being converted to heat, which must then be eliminated by more traditional air conditioning systems.

A number of factors affect the efficiency of passive solar energy. The most obvious of these is the amount of sunlight available to the area in question. While southern areas nearer the equator receive lots of sun and are prime candidates for solar power use, higher latitudes won't receive as much solar energy and may be better suited to other alternative energy sources. Additionally, the building's architecture is another important consideration in determining the amount of solar energy available. Specifically, buildings with their north or south faces clear and unobstructed are better suited to use solar power.

Because the sun's rays are not being converted to electricity, less of its energy is lost. As such, passive solar energy requires less sunlight to be effective, and may be a great choice even in areas where more traditional photo voltaic sources are inadequate. Even so, some benefit is almost certain to be had by harnessing the sun's rays, and passive solar energy represents a great supplement to anyone's power needs.

Check out my other guide on energy saving ideas and solar energy company

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A Guide To Passive Solar Energy

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