Via Modernize
The recent solar boom has led to advancements in solar technology that homeowners are increasingly able to take advantage of. Residential solar allows individuals to save money on their monthly energy bills, greatly reduce their negative impact on the environment, and even look forward to selling their home at a prime price when ready. To top it all off, solar panel technology is moving toward sleeker, safer, and more effective design. Check out these solar panel home design trends below and head to Modernize for more home solar ideas and inspiration.
Passive Solar Design
Active solar power systems are the type that you see on most houses. They consist of flat plate solar panels that sit on the roof, and other equipment, like an inverter, that actively enhance the process of turning heat into energy. Passive solar design, on the other hand, means using your structure in and of itself as a way to convert solar heat into energy, often with solar panels as supplemental solar collectors.
Passive designs work for off-grid heat supply because the building materials that you use and how you install them are what determine how much sunlight can be converted into energy and therefore heat for your home or hot water. The type of collector, or panel, that this calls for is not roof-mounted. It can therefore be much less conspicuous in your home’s aesthetic.
Frameless Solar Panels
Frameless solar panels usually have glass on both the front and back, making them less flammable than the regular models, which have a polymeric sheeting on the back. The lack of a metal frame also provides less of an electrocution hazard to installers. Some regular models have problems with electrical current leaking out through the frame—because of this, frameless models are often more efficient. They are less clunky and tend to blend into the home’s design a little more seamlessly.
Building-Integrated Photovoltaics
BIPVs are incorporated for their aesthetic value—they are created to mimic and replace traditional building materials. Building-integrated PVs are less conspicuous than their traditional counterparts. Solar shingles and windows are a perfect example of building-integrated solar design. These often cover an entire facade of a building or an entire roof area for continuity. Unfortunately, this type of technology is more costly and less efficient than conventional photovoltaics—but for structures whose design is an important aspect of its function, BIPVs can be an eye-pleasing step in the right direction.
Solar Panel Home Design Trends
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