Building a Solar Power House

A “solar power” house is a house that best uses the sun's energy in lieu of grid power or generator power. Not all of these applications have to be active. In fact, many passive applications are desirable. Additionally, a solar power house will also often employ the latest energy conservation and thermal transference resistance techniques.

What passive solar methods will a solar power house often employ? A solar power house will have skylights and heat-absorbing/radiating floors and walls. During the day, the floors and walls will slowly absorb heat; but when evening starts to settle in, the heat will be re-radiated into the room, heating it up, even though no active system is working. This is usually done through structure and through carefully-selected materials. Some of the newest passive solar houses have walls that are actually filled with liquid, which absorbs and re-radiates heat. They usually have floors made of heat-absorbing rock, too.

What active solar methods will a solar power house often employ? Active solar methods often include large photovaultaic panel fields, which consist of large rows of solar panels, which are interlinked and then hooked up to a battery. Additionally, solar houses will usually affix panels to the roof.

If you're interested in maximizing the amount of power you can generate with your panels, you will want to set them up on racks or platforms. You will also want to purchase a mechanical rotator/angler, which allows you to move all of the platforms simultaneously. It is crucial that you angle the panels perfectly to maximize capture of solar energy.

In addition to crafting an efficient solar power house for power-generation purposes, you will also want to consider reducing your current energy use. You can do this by strategically placing hedges and trees; by increasing the “R” value of your insulation; and by using more efficient appliances, such as compact fluorescent bulbs, rather than incandescent bulbs.