There are actually two ways of using the infinite resource of solar heat. Consider that the sun in the sky is a continuous source of radiant energy, if we could only harness it instead of depending on various fossil and combustion based sources of heat, energy and power. After all, the sun radiates more energy into space in every minute of its existence than the human race could use in ten millennia.
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Most of this energy is wasted completely as it is radiated out into space and only a small fraction of it even comes anywhere near Earth. And of the energy that does reach our planet the amount that is actually harnessed by human race is abysmally low.
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Now only have humans not developed very many technologies for the harnessing of solar heat, but for the last century or so humans have chosen to depend so much upon fossil fuel based energy sources that research into harnessing the infinite energy of the sun itself has stagnated.
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There is much that an individual can do to reduce dependence upon conventional sources of energy. There are two basic ways of harnessing solar heat. One is actively, by actually installing systems that generate electricity from radiant solar energy, or at the very least use the solar heat to heat the home or, at the very least to heat water.
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The other method is passive, in which a simple but scientific placement of windows and a consideration of various factors maximizes the use of solar heat by a residence or structure without going out of one way to actually install active solar harnessing systems.
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Let’s discuss passive solar heating first. One of the simplest ways to passively heat your home is through a greenhouse effect. Have all the windows possible facing the sun and install glass that allows the passage of white light that reflects back the green wavelengths. Put a lot of plants around the house as well as put in green wall paper and generally using the color green in your furnishings.
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Now what will happen is that white light will enter through the windows, strike all the green objects in the room and turn into green light, which than can’t escape through the windows. This will cause a steady heating of the room from as long as sun shines through the window.
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Of course, you will need to heat your home to some extent, but generally speaking the simple method can cut your heating bills by a considerable extent. You can further augment this passive solar heating with active solar energy generating methods.
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Place a few solar panels on your roof, or preferably cover the roof with them. Even more efficient than this is to mount them on poles with devices attached that allow them to track to always face the sun, thus maximizing the amount of energy generated by the panels.
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Solar panels these days have become increasingly efficient and so, if you use them in conjunction with passive solar heating, it’s quite possible to cut your electric bills and dependence on conventional energy to a considerable extent.
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Best regards,
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The Solar Build Team
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P.S We think that our Solar Heat Panels article might take your fancy as well.
