Residential solar energy

The difference between passive solar and residential solar energy may be confusing to many people. Here is a guide explaining the differences, starting with residential solar energy.

Residential solar energy is, as the name implies, solar energy for the home, rather than a business. Different homes may choose to use residential solar energy to different extents. Some homes may have just a few solar outdoor lights. Other homes may heat their water off of a residential solar energy system. Still other homes may rely solely on residential solar energy.

This solar energy generally comes from solar panels made up of solar cells and liquid systems. Residential solar energy is an active solar system. Active solar involves mechanical systems.

Passive solar systems, on the other hand, are systems that harness natural sunlight to reduce energy use in the end. In other words, a passive solar home is built in such a way as to best take advantage of the sunlight. Passive solar homes have sustainable design strategies.

Passive solar design may include large windows to gather light, fans to distribute heat, stone flooring, and open spaces. Passive solar heating works by creating building features that will absorb heat and then release and circulate it.

One idea of passive solar design is to have a large deciduous tree next to your house. The tree will shade your home during the summer, but in the winter it will shed its leaves and allow sunlight to reach your home.

One of the great things about building a home that incorporates passive solar design is that it does not require a higher price than a home that does not (assuming a well-versed contractor is involved.) Residential solar energy systems, on the other hand, can be rather expensive to set up. Of course, once set up they require very little maintenance and practically eliminate all energy costs. After all, the rays of the sun come absolutely free.