There are a variety of ways to implement solar power for home energy and save money. So-called passive solar design heats, cools and brings natural light into your home inexpensively through intelligent design.

1. Converting to Solar Power For Home Energy Savings

2. There are a variety of ways to implement solar power for home
energy and save money. So-called passive solar design heats,
cools and brings natural light into your home inexpensively
through intelligent design. Active systems like solar electricity
and solar heating provide power for appliances, and hot water
for laundry, showers, cooking, and cleaning.

3. Whether you're planning your solar home or converting an existing
home, consider which options are most efficient, and cost
effective for using solar energy.
Passive solar. A passive solar system doesn't make use of
special equipment to enhance the heating, cooling and natural
light. It leverages the environment to accomplish great
reductions in energy use.

4. Building wide eaves for example blocks the steep-angled rays of
the summer sun while welcoming the low-angled sun of the
wintertime. And bringing brick or stone inside the house can
provide surfaces the sun can heat that will radiate warmth
throughout the day and into the evening. You can design a south
facing window to let sun in and choose furniture and flooring that
will absorb and redistribute heat. An attached Trombe wall
collects heat. Fans and thermal mass distribute the heat
throughout the home.

5. Active solar heating. Solar water heating is common in solar
homes. You'll find two kinds: open loop and closed loop
systems. In open loop systems, the sun heats water in pipes
which is then circulated for family use. Swimming pools are often
heated this way. Closed loop systems enclose a mixture of
water and antifreeze in pipes. Heat exchangers heat the water
the family uses and consumes. Closed loop systems are often
the choice in areas that are prone to cold weather.

6. Active solar electricity. You can use photovoltaic (PV) cells to
absorb sunshine and convert it into electricity. The energy
produced by the PV cells must be inverted to DC (direct current)
your appliances can use. You can use the solar electricity
directly to supplement your metered power, or store the
electricity in a battery. With enough surface area, solar panels
can convert enough sunshine into electricity to power the entire
house. You'll likely want a back up generator in case of an
energy shortfall.

7. Passive solar systems are most effective when designed in from
the beginning. Active systems can be added to a house after it
has been built. Even if your home site is well established you
can get into active solar electricity on a small scale quite
inexpensively. Even if you start small with solar panels, you
have the potential over time to generate enough solar power for
home energy to take your house off the electric grid altogether.

8. calculate your solar energy savings:
http://www.getsolarprices.co.uk/solar-panel-calculator/