solar design

solar design

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A solar power house is not a new idea - passive solar energy has been used for centuries, but tapping the unlimited supply of the sun's energy and converting it to electricity has been around only since the time of technological advancements in semiconductors.

Now the cost of the components to make small solar panels and the other parts used to create a solar powered house system has come down to the point that it is very competitive with the power grid system on which we've become dependent.

That distributed grid system however is showing its age, and is becoming more unreliable and expensive to run. Energy from fossil fuels is getting more expensive. Energy from nuclear reactions is in hiatus. But energy from the sun, wind, hydro and geothermal sources is much more feasible and sustainable.

Not too many places have a consistent wind for energy generation and individuals are not likely to afford hydro and geothermal power plants, but tapping into the sun's energy by using solar collectors for heat and solar panels for electricity is well within the budget of home owners.

Electricity from solar power panels lets you be independent of grid based outages and free to choose remote locations where power lines are not installed.

However there is an upfront cost and the payback from savings on utility bills may take a few years to accrue. There are well proven techniques to get the most out of a solar power system and can be implemented in stages. Some installations can be sized large enough to provide not only your own power but also enough to sell back to the power company.

On a smaller scale solar power panels and storage systems can substitute completely or for a significant part of the energy used in your dwelling. The satisfaction that comes from being independent and free from the grid system is a major benefit. No more blackouts and brownouts as the present system collapses and crumbles. Storm outages and emergency power is now at your command. And cost saving increase with time. What's not to like?

Another subjective and measurable improvement is the reduction in fossil fuel consumption and environmental pollution caused by centralized power plants. All the sun's energy is landing on earth whether you use it for electricity or not so solar power panels do not increase the heat released to the atmosphere as does burning oil or coal sequestered for millions of years.

By prudently designing your own solar power house you can reduce your need for energy and have a reliable supply of electricity at your command without relying on the grid, utility companies, regulated pricing or adding to environmental pollution.

Now is the time to design and install the right system for your solar power house.

The Solar Power House blog discusses ways to design and build solar energy systems. This is where you can find more information and specifications for your own solar power design.

Solar design Jig and "clam shaped" reflectors