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Solar Home Designs
Passive Design
The first solar homes were primarily focusing on passive solar technology. They were homes that simply had a south facing exterior with a lot of windows.
The north sides of the homes were built lower and with extra insulating properties.
The homes that had the best passive solar success were those with large thermal mass. The thermal mass would release enough heat into the home to make it work out.
It is important to note that passive solar has not worked out great as the only source of heat. Temperatures will often fluctuate to a degree the home is uncomfortable for living. Thermal mass reduces the temperature fluctuations greatly.
Nearly every good passive design has these features (at least). 1- High thermal mass 2- Collects sun from the South either through the roof and/or windows 3- Insulates water heater very well with rocks or fiberglass insulation (usually rocks) and 4- Uses principles of conduction to keep the air moving. These are the basics. There are many ways to add to these basic principles.
Active Design
The active design is primarily concerned with the array. When you consider a solar photovoltaic array you need to make sure the panels are going to be in the right direction. There should be no shade for best results. Shade can significantly reduce array output. There are charts you can use to get the exact longitude you will need. However, you need to make sure you are getting enough sun. You should be at least 30 feet above any nearby trees.
Some arrays will move with the sun and that will give you maximum effect. The sun moves throughout the year and the panels can move both with the season and throughout the day.
Some people put the panels further out in the yard. They do this because the sunlight is better further out.
Realistically, a solar home should use passive and active solar techniques. This will reduce electricity needs and provide stability. One such method is to have the photovoltaic panels heat a rock bin that will then send hot air to heat up the home or hot water tanks.
Energy Savings
Any home design, for solar, should have the utmost energy savings in mind. This means low energy appliances and easy ways to turn things off. For example, you want to get rid of all the phantom loads. These are the energy wasters that come just from leaving an off item plugged in. Solar homes can have ways to turn off power strips with the push of a button or flick or a switch. Then, only use the power for what you need.
As consumers, we will need to learn to avoid using high energy appliances like blow dryers.
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