On a regular basis, the pollution captured within the planet is steadily rising and largely human activity is to be blamed for this. The rising pollution further presses on the need to use energy more efficiently while simultaneously looking for ways to undo the catastrophic damage we have caused to the environment.
The sun is a never ending source of energy and a number of natural processes, photosynthesis for one, already rely on it to fulfill their energy needs. A cost-benefit analysis of replacing our current sources of energy with solar energy, tips the scales in favour of solar energy and urges us to tap into the potential of this form of renewable energy, which is available in abundance, to rectify our ways before it gets worse.
Solar panel farms and rooftop installations have served multiple industrial purposes and continue to do so even today. Homes too have benefited tremendously from harnessing the power of the sun, be it in reducing their carbon footprints or saving on their electricity bills.
Several homeowners across the globe are also making the best use of passive solar energy received over the course of the day. This is possible with innovative design and the application of sustainable technology.
Passive Solar energy is primarily employed as a means to control the heating and cooling load of a house. The massive expenses incurred on account of cooling in the summer and heating in the winter can be effectively nullified with the application of the right strategy.
Here are 4 design ideas that will aid you in conserving the passive solar energy for your house, and hopefully push you to go solar, all the way.
South Facing Windows: The simplest application of passive solar energy is designing a large glass window on the south side of the house. This is applicable only in the northern hemisphere but has instant benefits of heating in the winters. It is preferred if the glass is double laminated to avoid damage over a long term due to residual heat.
Thermal Mass: This method can be used for solar heating as well as solar cooling. The core of this method is in masonry and insulation. Brick, stone, tile and insulation can be strategically placed within the walls to facilitate natural absorption and retention of heat. This is an effective way to ensure that the heating costs are brought to a minimum.
The same method can be used to sap heat from inside the house in the summers, resulting in a lower overall temperature. There are multiple materials that can be used as per the specific requirements. Thermal mass application is reliant on the local conditions and has to be incorporated into the structure after a fair bit of study.
Conductive Loops: Another application of passive solar energy is in creation of conductive loops. These can be divided into three broad categories.
Conductive- where the heat is transferred from an array of metal tubes in the floor and walls. This can be from a receptive panel on the roof connected to the grid indoors.
Convective- where the heat is trapped and guided in via another material. In most cases this is water; as it holds onto heat far better than masonry and does not have the problem of overheating in summer. Convection is usually achieved by moving air or water across a system.
Radiation- This method uses darker colors and certain heat retaining textures to hold in the heat. The opposite can be used to dissipate heat as well. Most of the processes in this require well placed insulation sinks and awnings.
Passive Solar Cooling: India being a temperate country, it primarily requires cooling for the major part of the year. This results in dramatically high electricity bills on account of fans and air conditioners. This cost can be reduced if not eliminated completely if we apply the principles of passive solar energy. One needs to look at cooling as an absence of heat. Using the right materials along with thermal shutters and utilizing design to catch crosswinds, reduces the load on traditional methods. This aided by landscaping trees to shade structures, results in a cooler house without the wastage of energy.