Solar energy is the wave of the future. It is being used more and more to power everything from homes and businesses to transportation systems. Solar power provides a clean, green, and inexhaustible source of energy which we can use to create an abundance of electricity.
One form of this power is called passive solar energy. This particular type of solar energy is created without the use of photovoltaics or solar panel systems. Solar ovens and passive indoor heating are two great ways to use passive solar energy in your home. Even if you have solar panels you may want to take these options into consideration.
Solar ovens are insulated boxes that must be exposed to the sun for long periods of time. They cannot cook food at a fast rate because they usually maintain a low temperature. In spite of this, with a little patience you can cook your food using free and renewable solar energy. This is an alternative to getting solar panels and electric cooking appliances. Just keep in mind that these are much more effective in areas with high temperatures and dry weather. They are however the perfect green solution for the conscientious homeowner who loves to cook.
Passive indoor heating is another great way to make use of solar energy in your home without having solar panels. If you are building, renovating, or remodeling then you may be able to apply passive indoor heating techniques in your home. All it requires is careful planning. A few simple ways to create passive indoor heating include positioning windows toward the sun, installing high quality insulation, and making sure doors and windows are properly sealed. If you have trees blocking your windows you can trim them to let more sunlight in. Even something as small as this can increase your passive indoor heating.
While solar panels make a wonderful addition to any home there are other ways that you can use the power of the sun. These two passive solar energy ideas are great ways for you to reduce your carbon footprint, save money on energy use, and reduce the use of fossil fuels.