Where can I locate information about all types of solar energy for my home.
2006-06-19 02:48:30 · 3 answers · asked by shwingo 1 in Environment
There's a special issue of Mother Earth News out now that has a section on solar. A few months ago Countryside magazine had a very basic system and instructions to do it for about $600.
2006-06-19 04:34:25 · answer #1 · answered by Jan H 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
What is inexpensive for you? where are you?
Solar is comparitavly expensive because fossil energy costs don't include all the costs of polluting commons, eg particultes, acid rain, oil spills ....
And what seems expensive today, will in 10 years time as easily extracted high quality oil is exaused and demand continues to rise, seem cheap in comparison.
The cheapest solar energy is reducing you energy consumption/footprint.
Then thermal solar collectors to heat hot water, these could be made from recliamed pannel radiators
Then using suitable windows, lightpipes & shading to maximise natural light, and decrease the need for air conditioning.
lastly photo-voltaics, these are currently very expensive, and if you are conneted to a power grid, it will be far more environmentally sustainable to get you energy supplier to use renewable energy with the benefits of scale,ease of maintenace and control of unwanted side-effects. There are several such suppliers in the UK.
If you are not on the grid, eg on a boat, then the first point definitly applies, ie reuduce your energy demand.
2006-06-19 10:24:22 · answer #2 · answered by fred 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its all expensive
2006-06-19 09:53:35 · answer #3 · answered by mi_gl_an 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋