Solar Passive Home Popularity Jumps To New Levels
Let’s start out with what a solar passive home is. A solar passive home is one that is designed to maintain heat, and light, at a comfortable temperature throughout the day (and night) and throughout the year using the building design in concert with the sun as the primary power source. It is estimated that a good passive home design can cut heating energy consumption by up to 90%.
Solar passive homes are well insulated and air tight. By design, they work with natural resources to capture and apply free solar energy efficiently, and utilize as few active systems as possible to generate power.
Were you aware that buildings produce 48% of all of the greenhouse gases that are emitted each year? Or, that 76% of the electrical power generated by power plants is to operate buildings? Well, that’s what the statistics at the U. S. Energy Information Administration say.
Just think for a moment…how much we could reduce those numbers just with new construction for individual homes and commercial buildings…by taking full advantage of solar passive energy designed buildings. What do you suppose the positive effect of that would be on the amount of greenhouse gases emitted every year?
Ecohome magazine, an expert source for solar energy information says “”retrofits, solar power and water conservation [are] seen as some of the top issues this year.” But unfortunately, that still doesn’t mean that we’re seeing a monumental shift in the number of passive solar homes being constructed in the United States.
Fossil fuel energy costs in the United States have remained affordable. As a result, homeowners have continued to opt for “tried and true” conventional energy systems. What’s becoming more widely known, however, is that passive solar energy designs add only 5 to 10 percent to construction costs. With the cost of oil, gas and coal rising rapidly, homeowners will increasingly see how quickly a passive solar home is, overall, the lower priced option.
A lingering belief system from the 1970’s, when passive solar home construction first found a toehold in the United States, may still be holding back progress in this area. Then, everyone thought a passive solar home couldn’t be constructed without a special architect and a solar engineer to consult every step of the way during construction. Today, that’s not only a false belief, it’s totally non-factual. Now, not only can you find prefabricated passive solar energy homes ready to be set on your site, you can also get many suitable blueprints. In fact, the average homebuilder can find the right tools and guidance for construction, with or without an architect’s assistance.
In recent years, Europe, experiencing significant price increases in non-renewable energy, has taken the lead in solar passive home construction. They are currently definitely in the lead in the global drive to reduce world fossil fuel dependence, and in reducing man’s devastating environmental footprint.
I don’t want to diminish, however, the progress made by the United States. The Solar Energy Industries Associates said in a news release at the end of 2009, “The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) today released the 2009 U.S. Solar Industry Year in Review, finding 2009 to be another year of strong growth despite the economic recession. Overall U.S. solar electric capacity, including both photovoltaic and concentrating solar power installations, increased by 37 percent. This was driven primarily by strong demand in the residential and utility-scale markets, state and federal policy advances and declining technology prices. As a result, total solar industry revenue reached $4 billion, a 36 percent increase over 2008.”
What this means is there’s good news for anyone who wants to “go green.” It’s an affirmation that solar energy, including passive solar energy homes, is on the rise everywhere.
If you check the number of “green” builders in your yellow pages across cities and towns all over the United States, you’ll see how quickly the list is growing. The U. S. may not be at the same level as Europe yet, but there’s no doubt the sunshine is spreading its warmth, in a whole new way.
There are so many incentives now…a national commitment to reduce greenhouse emissions…rising energy costs…tax credits and rebates. With all of these solar passive homes are certain to increase in popularity. And why not…only a fool would ignore what’s good for both the goose and gander.
Looking to find out all you can about solar passive homes then visit www.HomeSolarPowerExplained.com to find the best advice on home solar power for you.
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