PV Gap

James Said:

Why aren't we using residential solar reflectors with thermal storage?

We Answered:

Like moving to more fuel efficient vehicles, consumers need to really feel the pain before they adjust their habits.

There's a desperate hope that energy prices will come down. When people realize they won't, then alternatives like you suggest will be popular.

Martha Said:

HVAC-Technical Question..how does solar energy apply to HVAC?

We Answered:

There are a number of ways HVAC is involved.

Technologies are parallel in many ways to conventional installations because sometimes they were simply adapted.. Some active solar heat systems rely on the principles you apply to a conventional HVAC system. Such as air handlers- electronic contoled type actuators, balancing flow from a heat reservoir to other areas, which can be air, or it can be an antifreeze running through a conventional hydronic core, or it could be the equivalent to a heater core in a car. Or through an A coil sitting in the air flow of a forced air furnace system. Heatpumps are gaining popularity again because ground loops below frost level are in use rather than relying on air alone as the source for the heat, or a less efficient manner relying in simply a heat storage reservoir fed by one or more panels and then transferring that heat to a hydronic system, or A coil again.

You might want to spend some time at http://www.builditsolar.com and look through their projects list and you will find many systems that people have installed and some manufacturers links as well. Many of the technologies from the 70s are still around,only better materials, and you can pick up on the principles easily enough by looking through the projects themselves. I gave a very rudimentary description above, I know there is far much more than that involved in HVAC systems, I just wanted to hit a few high points quick. If you are a fast study, and can learn and comprehend from just a few pictures and paragraphs, that site should be all you would need.

There are certification classes through your various Vo-tech/technical schools. They might even offer some classes as well. Otherwise checking with your local jobs abd training center to see what info they have might help too.

Sidney Said:

Solar Energy Query - India?

We Answered:

Well you can try to search the device on Ebay. You would get the best idea of how much a solar panel costs. You might want to install the solar panels onto your roof and facing towards the sun. Also, those batteries that you are using your own solar panel power system to recharge must be specially suited to storing chemical energy from the sun.

Manuel Said:

Does solar energy have a cost effective shot for residential use?

We Answered:

SHORT ANSWER:

It depends on:

The solar irradiation where you live (e.g. New Mexico vs. Norwegian fog)

The local electricity price (e.g. 20ct/kWh in Sicily vs. 2.5ct/kWh in China)

Sam Said:

What are the best solar energy methods of cutting down the cost of electric and gas for residential use?

We Answered:

Something that a lot don't think of is the type of grass you plant in your yard. You need (forgive me I don't know the brand of grass) get that type of grass that never needs mowing. Like the stuff you see on the golf course. No mowing means no fuel usage.

Put large windows in the south side of your home. Place solar modules over the windows to use as summer time window shades. This lets in the sun in the winter for heat and charges batteries or back feeds the grid while keeping the heat out in the summer.

Build you a solar room heater for the winter time. Even if it don't provide heat 24 hours a day and on cloudy days you still cut your heating bill.

Either buy or build a solar water heater to pre-heat your water.

Plant trees on the south east and south west side of your home to shade in the summer to cut your cooling bills.

Use a full house fan to blow the heat up and out.

But the main thing to do is insulate your home. Fix leaks and buy energy saving products and lighting.

Ad a wind mill.

You could even put your home in a low area with hills around to block the wind and keeps your home cooler

You could build underground.

The list is never ending.

Look up LEED and USGBC on the internet. Energy saving homes and buildings are all they do.

http://www.usgbc.org