Sun Country Builders has committed itself to sustainable building.
And, given the constant evolution of environmental technology, keeping current on strategies and methodologies for being green is practically a full-time occupation.
In our sunny southwest corner of the world, nearly every new construction project we've recently built utilizes some level of solar power. We figure it’s time to shed some light on the issue and examine what solar power is, how it works, and how it can potentially save a property owner significant amounts of money.
What is Solar Power?
Solar power is a clean, quiet, safe, and reliable source of energy that helps reduce our dependence on pollutant-heavy power sources like oil and coal. Considering the accessibility and permanence of sunlight in the region, and the continual advances that make solar panels ever more efficient, proponents probably aren’t exaggerating when they call this the power source of the future.
There are two primary uses of solar power when it comes to residential buildings: photovoltaic and solar thermal. In the first case, photovoltaic solar panels convert sunlight into electricity that can be stored or used to power all aspects of a building.
In the second case, solar energy is captured (usually using flat-plate collectors) and used to heat the residential water supply, either directly by circulating water past heated panels, or indirectly by heating a special solution that then heats the water. Solar thermal systems can also be used for space heating. Space cooling using thermally activated cooling systems (TACS) is a new technology which is not yet cost-effective.
Solar has the ability to minimize or eliminate a property’s electricity costs by contributing power back to the grid. This is known in the industry as "Spinning the meter backwards."
The aforementioned two types of solar power fall into the category of "active" solar power. We'd be remiss if we discounted the value of passive use of solar or, perhaps, better thought of in terms of "solar by design".
Architects have long been cognizant of the effects of the sun on buildings. These effects are routinely taken into consideration when considering such things as the physical orientation of a building, roof colors and types, glazing, tinting, and shading, among others.
Effects on Your Wallet
As to the cost, solar power does require an initial investment – sometimes a substantial one. However, there are a myriad of government incentives and rebate programs that significantly reduce the price and sweeten the deal.
