Post by account_disabled on Feb 20, 2024 16:57:27 GMT 10
Heating spaces in general, and our homes in particular, is one of the largest contributors to climate change produced by industrialized nations, creating an urgent need for zero-emission heating.
The latest advances in this sector suggest that passive solar energy as a heat source can and should be part of a sustainable solution.
New studies
Researchers at the University of Oregon, funded BTC Number Data by the US National Science Foundation, measured the scale and scope of unused passive solar energy and compared the data to residential space heating needs.
Among the most notable results, the researchers discovered that cold, cloudy climates are abundant sources of solar energy and estimated that this untapped passive solar energy could provide one-third of residential heating .
I
Passive solar energy heating zero emissions
Image: elxeneize – Depositphotos .
This is partly because many passive solar heating systems have used vertical glazing, such as large windows. It is a good strategy when there is direct, hot sun, according to Rempel. But in cloudier, colder climates, most of the diffuse solar energy comes from the top of the atmosphere, regardless of where the sun is in the sky. Slanted glass, like skylights on a sloping roof, is perfectly positioned to capture that energy.
Therefore, passive solar heating has been overlooked as a component of sustainable architecture and design. Although both have the common “solar” component, active and passive solar energy are quite different , they can and should coexist together in our homes.
New data
Passive solar heating systems collect natural light to provide heat without converting the light into electricity. In this approach, solar radiation is collected through windows and skylights. Some of it is used immediately for heat and some is stored for later use.
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According to researchers, capturing, storing and distributing solar energy for heat without converting it to electricity is a viable option even in cold, cloudy climates.
According to their calculations, there are about megawatt hours of solar energy available per home per year, during times when homes need heating.
The latest advances in this sector suggest that passive solar energy as a heat source can and should be part of a sustainable solution.
New studies
Researchers at the University of Oregon, funded BTC Number Data by the US National Science Foundation, measured the scale and scope of unused passive solar energy and compared the data to residential space heating needs.
Among the most notable results, the researchers discovered that cold, cloudy climates are abundant sources of solar energy and estimated that this untapped passive solar energy could provide one-third of residential heating .
I
Passive solar energy heating zero emissions
Image: elxeneize – Depositphotos .
This is partly because many passive solar heating systems have used vertical glazing, such as large windows. It is a good strategy when there is direct, hot sun, according to Rempel. But in cloudier, colder climates, most of the diffuse solar energy comes from the top of the atmosphere, regardless of where the sun is in the sky. Slanted glass, like skylights on a sloping roof, is perfectly positioned to capture that energy.
Therefore, passive solar heating has been overlooked as a component of sustainable architecture and design. Although both have the common “solar” component, active and passive solar energy are quite different , they can and should coexist together in our homes.
New data
Passive solar heating systems collect natural light to provide heat without converting the light into electricity. In this approach, solar radiation is collected through windows and skylights. Some of it is used immediately for heat and some is stored for later use.
advertisement
According to researchers, capturing, storing and distributing solar energy for heat without converting it to electricity is a viable option even in cold, cloudy climates.
According to their calculations, there are about megawatt hours of solar energy available per home per year, during times when homes need heating.