The passive solar house
Well before winter, you will have to think about heating the house with energy- and budget-consuming devices, even though this will do nothing to preserve the environment.
Have you ever noticed that in the middle of the cold, it can be up to 4°C and yet you can still see uncovered people walking outside? Rest assured! They haven’t lost their minds, they simply use the passive energy of the sun to warm themselves naturally, by capturing the heat hidden in the light.
With the advancement of technology, architects have designed buildings that work similarly to using passive solar energy. These constructions have a technological device that makes it possible to capture, store and distribute solar energy, in order to reduce heating costs and environmental impact.
How a passive solar house works
Designed to make the most of solar radiation, the passive solar house is a modern construction model that favors the preservation of the environment. It meets specific construction criteria, in particular by its shape, the materials used and the type of work to be carried out.
In addition to respecting the environment, this type of construction is also interesting from an economic point of view. A passive solar house allows you to make considerable savings on your energy bill thanks to its specific features.
The concept is different from traditional construction: the key to the design is the idea that the house must adapt to a very specific local climate (and a particular location within it). In its simplest form, this would mean building a house with lots of large windows facing the sun.
Unlike solar panels and solar water heaters, for example, passive solar does not use any electrical or mechanical device to distribute heat or light in a building. Instead, the building is designed to absorb, store and distribute energy in a natural way.
Passive solar buildings are supposed to be environmentally friendly. It would be pointless to design a building that saves 75% of heating costs in winter if that same design resulted in a 300% increase in cooling costs in summer. Thus, an essential aspect of passive solar design is achieving permanent efficiency. Typically, this means being able to filter intense sunlight (or reduce its effects) during summer heat and using that solar heat in winter.
The cost of a passive solar house
The passive solar house does not differ much from usual constructions. It is always necessary to respect certain characteristics, foundations, insulation, waterproofing, etc. However, it is in the architectural model that we see the difference, because the passive solar house must follow certain requirements (installation of large windows, bay windows, large openings, etc.). In particular, you have the possibility of renovating your old property and conforming it to the characteristics of the passive solar house. You can ask a specialist company to help you.
The advances in solar energy in the USA
In recent years, the United States has witnessed remarkable advancements in solar energy technology, leading to a significant expansion of its adoption and utilization across the nation. One of the most notable developments has been the substantial decrease in the cost of solar panels, driven primarily by technological innovations and economies of scale in manufacturing. This reduction in costs has made solar energy more accessible to homeowners, businesses, and utilities alike.
There has been a massive surge in research and development efforts aimed at improving the efficiency and durability of solar panels, as well as exploring new materials and designs to enhance performance. And this is starting to pay off! Alongside these novel technological advancements, policy initiatives at both the federal and state levels, such as tax incentives, rebates, and renewable energy mandates, have played a crucial role in accelerating the deployment of solar energy systems.
As a result of these collective efforts in America, solar energy capacity in the USA has experienced exponential growth, making it a pivotal component of the country’s renewable energy landscape and contributing significantly to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, combating climate change and lowering pollution, and improving eco-design.