| energy, radiant light and heat from the sun, has been | | | | architecture are orientation relative to the Sun, |
| harnessed by humans since ancient times using a | | | | compact proportion (a low surface area to volume |
| diversity of ever-evolving technologies. Solar radiation, | | | | ratio), selective shading (overhangs) and thermal mass. |
| in conjunction with secondary solar-powered | | | | When these characteristics are tailored to the local |
| resources such as wind and wave power, | | | | climate and environment they can produce well-lit |
| hydroelectricity and biomass, account for most of the | | | | spaces that stay in a comfortable temperature range. |
| available renewable energy on earth. Only a small | | | | Socrates' Megaron House is a classic example of |
| segment of the available solar energy is used today. | | | | passive solar design. Some passive solar architecture |
| We have a long way to go. Nature has given us | | | | is just plain common sense. For example, in hot |
| plenty of energy - and we have no right to complain. | | | | countries, to reduce the amount of energy used for |
| We need to use the means available and harnass the | | | | air-conditioning, the window glassed are made of |
| power from nature. | | | | tainted glass or has a dark covering on it. Shades built |
| Solar powered electrical generation relies on heat | | | | over the windows prevent direct sunlight from hitting |
| engines and photovoltaics. Solar energy's uses are | | | | the windows and heating it. |
| limited only by human ingenuity. A partial list of solar | | | | The most recent approaches to solar design use |
| applications consist of space heating and cooling | | | | personal computer modeling tying together solar lighting, |
| through solar architecture, potable water via distillation | | | | heating and ventilation systems in an integrated solar |
| and disinfection, daylighting, solar hot water, solar | | | | design kit. Active solar equipment such as pumps, fans |
| cooking, and high temperature process heat for | | | | and switchable windows can complement passive |
| industrial purposes.To harvest the solar energy, the | | | | design and improve system performance.You can visit |
| most frequent way is to use solar panels. | | | | for more information and how to buy, ready to use |
| Solar technologies are broadly characterized as either | | | | solar panel sets. There is no difficulty in starting off |
| passive or active depending on the way they capture, | | | | today. |
| convert and disseminate sunlight. Active solar formulas | | | | Urban heat islands (UHI) are metropolitan areas with |
| include the use of photovoltaic panels and solar | | | | higher temperatures than that of the surrounding |
| thermal collectors to harness the energy. Passive solar | | | | background. The higher temperatures are a result of |
| formulas include deciding materials with favorable | | | | increased absorption of the Solar light by urban |
| thermal properties, establishing spaces that naturally | | | | materials such as asphalt and concrete, which have |
| propagate air, and referencing the position of a building | | | | reduce albedos and higher heat capacities than those |
| to the Sun. Active solar technologies expand the | | | | in the natural background. A straightforward technique |
| supply of energy and are considered supply side | | | | of counteracting the UHI outcome is to paint buildings |
| technologies, while passive solar technologies reduce | | | | and roads white and plant trees. Using these |
| the need for alternate resources and are commonly | | | | techniques, a hypothetical "cool communities" program |
| considered demand side technologies. | | | | in Los Angeles has projected that urban temperatures |
| Sunlight has influenced building design since the | | | | could came down by close to 3 °C. The |
| beginning off off of architectural history. Advanced | | | | estimated costs for this may be high but there are |
| solar architecture and urban planning methods were | | | | immense savings in air-conditioning and we can also |
| first employed by the Greeks and Chinese, who | | | | expect savings in the health-care. A lowering of 3 |
| oriented their buildings toward the south to provide light | | | | °C will certainly be welcome by all and will also |
| and warmth. The frequent features of passive solar | | | | improve their health. |