Energy & Technology
The best ways to harness wind and solar energy
Solar energy is the most under utilized resource of power available to us. Only a tiny fraction of all solar power is captured or used for energy purposes. The use of solar power breaks down into two major categories; passive and active solar power. Passive solar power is essentially the strategic positioning of an object to take full advantage of the sun, while active solar power involves the use of solar collectors to convert sunlight into useful outlets. We will discuss both a passive solar power system and an active solar power system that could have huge effects on your energy bills and the environment.
Passive solar building design is often implemented in low energy homes. It involves minimizing the impact of the sun on your indoor space in the summer and maximizing it in the winter. This is done through the orientation of windows and walls in regards to extendable awnings, trees and porches. A small amount of thoughtful preparation can help to create a sunny and warm indoor environment in the winter months and a shady and cool space in the summer months.
An example of an active solar design would be the installation and use of a solar water heater. Solar water heating involves placing solar thermal collectors (look a lot like solar panels) in the direct path of sunlight. Water fills these panels, heats up, and oftentimes is pumped into reservoir tanks for later use. The hot water can be used in a variety of ways including, radiant heat through the floor of a home, space heating, or even swimming pools. The water can provide up to 85% of domestic hot water energy.
The thought of wind power typically conjures up images of huge alien looking fields of tall wind turbines. But more and more, harnessing wind power is becoming accessible to individual home owners and developments. Grid connected turbines, are small wind turbines that are installed on a homeowners property, and are connected to their main power supply grid. This way, when the turbine is generating power, it will supply the home with electricity and when it is not, the home can use standard electricity provided by the municipality. Even more, in some places, if the turbine is generating power in excess of the homes need, the power can be "sold back" to the local municipality. If the thought of one day sending your local power company a bill doesn’t make you happy, seek help.
For more information on how to purchase and install a wind turbine in your area, please consider visiting the following sites:
