This blog provides comprehensive, objective solar power house information and resources for solar hot water panels, solar power electricity and solar home heating.

The distinctions between passive and active solar systems are explored in more depth on the solar hot water and solar home heating pages that follow.  Suffice it to say here that active systems are more complex and costly than passive systems, but passive solar has limitations on applications for which it is suitable.

The present status and future outlook of the solar power house is very bright.  Solar power is now economically viable for everyday use in the home for four reasons: improved technologies; economies of scale; do it yourself products; and various government incentives. 

Most homes in the industrialized part of the globe can currently utilize some forms of this sustainable and clean primary energy resource with adequate cost-benefits to justify installation.  So, solar power house installations provide a dual benefit to the user and community: lower power bills and a cleaner environment.

Also, solar heating technologies can be used in most any climate.  To take advantage of solar energy, all that is usually needed is to have an un-shaded area that faces either south, southeast or southwest.  The appropriate type of system to choose, including the type of collector and whether it is active or passive, depends on several factors.  These factors include your site, the climate you live in, installation considerations, cost, and how you would like your solar heating system to be used.

All solar water heater and solar space heater systems are comprised of some sort of solar collectors (panels), and all systems have some kind of storage device.  Active systems also have circulating pumps and controls; passive systems work without this added equipment.  Three types of solar collectors (panels) are used for home applications: flat-plate, integral collector-storage (ICS), and evacuated-Tube collectors.

By being properly informed and planning carefully you will be surer to choose the proper system for you and your family.  Learn and plan, and only then start installing systems as fast as your time, energy and funds permit.

One cost effective approach to learning while doing and stretching your money is a do-it-yourself (DIY) project.  And, the easiest and fastest pay-back DIY project is solar power hot water.  This is because conventional hot water heating is about 25% of your power bill, and an effective solar hot water installation can save up to about two thirds of this 25%.

Over the years I have reviewed many DIY alternative energy packages.  I have never experienced one more comprehensive and as simple to execute as the GreenDIYenergy package presented on the right of this page.  It is very modestly priced and it is truly designed and explained for the novice.  So, if you’re ready to get started doing while learning I encourage you to check this package out.

My name is Carter Reames; I am an engineer and first became involved in solar and other alternative energy activities  during the oil  embargo of 1973.  My solar interests were frustrated during the era of unreasonably cheap fossil energy.  But, with fossil fuel’s ever increasing costs and solar energy’s steadily decreasing costs, my passion for solar power has intensified.

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The three major solar power house applications are solar hot water, solar home heating and solar power electricity.  Development of a solar power implementation strategy will of necessity require an examination and evaluation of numerous critical solar energy facts. 

Of first importance is an assessment of macro geographic and site specific factors, and current power usage quantities and local utility rates.  House orientation to the sun, shading of the site, area seasonal temperature ranges, and conventional utility cost are all examples of the critical factors that influence the feasibility of different solar power alternatives.  Also, if the house to be evaluated for solar already exists, this will most often limit the solar alternatives that are feasible. 

These considerations form the foundation of current costs, the potentialities of alternative solar applications, and the basis for calculating the cost-benefit for the alternative solar possibilities.  And of course, solar project financial and time availabilities and limitations must also be taken into consideration when developing a solar plan of action.

If all three of the major solar power house applications are feasible and one wanted to implement a staged plan in order of increasing cost and complexity, and in decreasing order of cost benefit; it will usually be solar hot water first.  The orders of the other two will more than likely be technology driven rather than cost or cost-benefit driven. 

If the type of heat is to be electric, the next solar application will of necessity be electricity.  If the type of solar heat is to be liquid or air based, then the decision can be made on a cost and cost-benefit basis.  However, it is important to determine what heating alternative is most likely to be used before installing a domestic hot water system.  If the solar home heating is to be liquid based, cost savings are possible by sizing some of the basic hot water infrastructure in order to accommodate the home heating application when it is added.

For a solar hot water system the fundamental decision is whether a passive or active system is to be built.  Subsequent decisions are refinements of this fundamental decision which are detailed in solar hot water panels. 

With solar home heating, there are three fundamental decisions: whether a water, air or electric heating system is to be used.  If the system is to be water or air, there are two subsequent fundamental decisions to be answered for this choice: whether to build a passive or active air or water system.  Additional details on these alternatives are in solar home heating.

There is also a fundamental decision to be made on a solar power electricity system that has significant cost ramifications. One possibility is to generate solar electricity and dump all excess electricity onto the electric grid and use the grid when the solar generation is insufficient for the house load (i.e., no storage). The other approach is to have a battery system to store excess solar generation for later use when house load exceeds the solar generation.   This subject is covered in greater detail at solar power electricity.        

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Solar power house systems are not overly difficult to install.  They are self contained and modular which makes them easy to service as well.  The nature of your homesite and the orientation on your home’s roof to the sun will determine how the solar panels will need to be installed.  It may be necessary to install them near your home with a ground stand rather than mount them on your roof to more effectively collect the sun’s energy.

When installing a home solar energy system you may want to also have a battery storage system to provide power when there is a solar deficit and avoid interruption should a power outage occur.  With one, when all your neighbors have no power your solar power house is running like normal.  Without a battery storage system surplus power is can usually be used to reverse your electricity meter for a reduction on your bill.

Your decision on what type of system will in part be determined by whether you are going to have it installed by a contractor or build it yourself.  Both approaches have different options, and depending on what you want and what works best for your home you will have the choices of what you want to do as far as type.  Depending on the particular circumstances, it is sometimes a good idea to have an independent solar consultant give you recommendations if you do not feel qualified to do your own research.

Regardless of your approach, you will want to take a good look at the appearance and of type of system that seems best for your home.  Consideration should be given to such factors as the elevation of your home for accessibility and they style of your home. 

Installing a residential solar energy system can be done by the homeowner.  However, there are some complexity and safety issues related electricity hook-up and plumbing to consider that may require a  licensed contractor.  However, the labor expense portion of the installation of a qualified solar system will also apply against most government tax incentive programs for solar.

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