What is a Solar Energy Home?
Solar energy homes are homes that use the sun’s energy to benefit the home. Solar energy can be used in a home two ways, actively or passively. Active solar energy homes use the sun’s energy to create electricity through the use of solar panels. Active homes can also use the sun’s energy to heat water or another substance to help with the homes heating needs. Passive homes are a little more complicated than active homes because they are built in a manner that maximizes the sun’s energy to keep warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Passive homes are designed with the sun’s energy in mind and the location of the home plays a big role in how its designed. If a passive home is designed in a colder climate then it should have lower ceilings to help reduce heat loss. If it is designed in a hotter climate then it should have higher ceilings because heat rises and higher ceilings would keep the occupant more comfortable. In a hot climate most of the windows should face north to reduce the
