The Advantages and Disadvantages of Passive Solar Energy

Jennifer Stephen
3 min readDec 17, 2021

With more people installing solar panels and incorporating new eco-friendly systems into their homes, expect to significantly increase the number of individuals who use solar power to power their homes.

Certain houses are purpose-built so that passive solar power can heat or extraordinary homes through exposure. Once sunlight strikes the house, the structure’s architecture can reflect, transfer, and absorb the sun’s energy. These will be accomplished through the building materials wont to construct the house.
Architects plan a home around predicted air movements induced by the sun’s heat. the target of seasoned architects during this discipline is as follows:
• Select the suitable material
• place these materials in their proper locations.
• Ascertain that these elements are installed within the proper orientation.
• to maximise the effectiveness of the setup
• to maximise its effectiveness
• To contribute to the creation of natural heating
• to help in cooling the building
The primary distinction between passive and active energy is that passive energy is primarily concerned with the building’s design. to get passive energy, no mechanical or electrical devices like fans or pumps are required to help with the movement of the energy.
There are several pros and drawbacks to passive energy, including the following:
Pros:
• Environmentally friendly: Most households who go for passive solar power use far fewer fossil fuels, beneficial to the environment.
• Reduce household utility costs: solar power is totally free! People needn’t fear being financially stung by their next electricity payment.
• The equipment isn’t prohibitively expensive: Although the value of active alternative energy equipment has lately decreased, it can still be pretty expensive for several people. The materials required for passive alternative energy are pretty affordable. This permits homeowners on a shoestring budget to own an environmentally friendly home.
Cons:
• the total cost will be pretty high: Although most of the equipment required is less expensive than active solar power material, remodeling or constructing a home to accommodate a passive alternative energy system is often costly. If a home wasn’t built with a passive alternative energy system in mind, people might demolish and replace walls and windows within and outside of a structure.
• Location: Unfortunately, not every house is suitable for a passive alternative energy system thanks to its location. Just because a system works well in Florida doesn’t guarantee it’ll work flawlessly in Texas. It requires extensive investigation, and most people are obliged to hunt help from a certified passive energy expert.
• Passive alternative energy might not offer enough energy for the home: For people that board freezing climates, passive solar power could also be insufficient to produce adequate heat throughout the winter months. People might have to supplement their home’s heat with fossil fuel, coal, or fuel. In hotter climates, the converse occurs; when passive energy generates excessive heat, the system struggles to keep the structure cool.

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