SOLAR ENERGY
Smart Home and Building Automation by Magnus Asbo
No matter how much a home or commercial building is able to reduce its energy requirements, it is nearly impossible to completely eliminate energy demand. However, with solar, the building can become its own energy generator
As the world is moving towards sustainability and energy independence, so too is building architecture. As architecture begins to change to incorporate these values, we are more frequently seeing net-zero buildings and green building rating systems, such as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). In parallel, commercial buildings and homes are becoming smarter. This has opened the way towards managing energy in a more efficient manner. One of the ways to better manage energy is to design buildings that require less of it. For example, using passive ventilation techniques, passive solar energy, double/ triple pane glass, and thermal mass material to help reduce (and possibly eliminate) the requirement for HVAC units. There are many other areas in which designs can decrease the energy requirements of a building, including energy-efficient lighting, passive lighting, water conservation, and more. Yet, no matter how much a home or a commercial building is able to reduce its energy requirements, it is nearly impossible
to completely eliminate energy demand. However, the building itself can become its own energy generator. One of the most promising aspects of solar energy, versus other types of renewable energy, is that it is designed to be a distributed power source. Almost anybody with a roof has the potential to install their very own energy generation system, truly placing power into the hands of the people. For commercial buildings and homes with large rooftops, adding a photovoltaic (PV) system can be an excellent way to produce the amount of energy that is consumed on site.
For commercial buildings with large rooftops, as well as homes, adding a PV system can be an excellent way to produce the amount of energy that is consumed on-site
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2022 JULY• AUGUST /// www.nacleanenergy.com
