SOLAR ENERGY

Solar Energy is really the primary gift energy that is responsible for all life on this planet. Our sun is the glue that holds our solar system in orbit thru its massive gravitational pull. Have You ever heard anyone make a statement regarding solar energy as"something that just doesn't work that well around here." To believe that is to not understand that without the sun our Earth would be a comfortable -400 or so degrees!
And even here in "cloudy" Michigan our solar gain in the summer months is equal to that of Tampa, Florida and the rest of the year is equal to roughly 70% that of Tampa's sunshine.
So What picture comes to your mind when you hear the term solar energy? Do you see row upon row of photovoltaic panels percolating electrons into the utility grid? That would be a correct picture for solar energy. But please don't try to put our Sun in a box to be just installed and sold off in the form of net metering. Although net metering is also a great
use of energy generated by the sun.
So it is easy to see that with a small amount of effort and ingenuity We can mimmick nature and use the sun's energy to generate '"active" power but also to moderate our indoor temperatures at comfortable levels using just passive heating and cooling by building smart green buildings,starting with a good solar orientation.
There have been vast improvements in all aspects of solar technology, including but not limited to proper building materials like glass and insulation but also active systems for generating electricity and for domestic solar hot water for both heating and personal use. One of the most efficient and quickest ways to heat your building is with solar hot air
heaters. But by far the most basic place to start with solar energy for your structure is to design into it a good solar orientation and thermal storage in the mass of the building which helps to moderate your building's temperature well after the sun goes down if not untill the sun returns the next day. It should not be difficult to see that with a little humility and a great appreciation for this gift energy that we can provide a much healthier and happier environment to live in.

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