| Affordable solar panels should be available for | | | | toward the south, putting more windows on the south |
| everyone. The amount of energy generated from the | | | | side of the building are just two inexpensive and simple |
| sun that hits the Earth's surface is enormous. | | | | ways to improve the comfort and efficiency of a |
| Just 20 days of sunshine is the equivalent to all the | | | | home. |
| energy stored in the Earth's reserves of coal, oil, and | | | | Besides using simple design features to maximize our |
| natural gas. And what's more, if you took an average | | | | use of the suns energy, some buildings have systems |
| over the entire surface of the planet, 24 hours per day | | | | that actively gather and store solar energy. Solar |
| for a year, each square meter collects the energy | | | | panels, for example, sit on the rooftops of many |
| equivalent of almost a barrel of oil each year. | | | | buildings to collect solar energy for space heating, |
| So it makes sense that governments around the world | | | | water heating, and space cooling. |
| are investing more in solar energy. There are many | | | | Today, around 1.5 million U.S. homes and businesses |
| advantages to solar energy as well as the power they | | | | use solar water heaters. But this is still less than 1% |
| can harness. | | | | nationwide. In other countries, solar panels are much |
| - For example, solar panels are one of the cleanest | | | | more common. For example, Israel requires all new |
| forms of renewable energy available. | | | | homes and apartments to use solar water heating, and |
| - Solar energy is free and inexhaustible. It will never run | | | | 92% of the existing homes in Cyprus already have |
| out. Well, not for a long time anyway. | | | | solar water heaters. |
| Basically, solar energy underpins all life on this planet | | | | But the number of people choosing solar hot water |
| and is the basis for almost every form of energy we | | | | systems are set to rise dramatically in the next few |
| use. The sun makes plants grow, which can be used | | | | years. As gas and electricity prices continue to spiral |
| as biomass fuel. If these same plants were left to rot, | | | | out of control, the costs of maintaining a constant hot |
| over time, they would eventually turn into coal and oil. | | | | water supply will increase as well. |
| So we owe it all to the sun. | | | | Homes and businesses that heat their water via solar |
| In the US, residential and commercial buildings account | | | | panels could save between $250 to $500 per year |
| for more than 30% of energy use. Solar design, better | | | | depending on the type of solar system being installed. |
| insulation, and more efficient appliances could reduce | | | | Plus you'll be safe in the knowledge that you'll be 'doing |
| this demand by 60 to 80 percent. | | | | your bit' for the environment as well. |
| Design features such as properly orienting a house | | | | |