Solar Energy
Passive Solar Heating
Passive solar heating is making use of the sun’s heat with no additional mechanical equipment to heat a building. The solar gain is maximized by means of building designs that balance energy requirements with the building's site and window orientation. Passive techniques rely mainly on windows but can also utilize other building elements such as walls, floors and roofs, in addition to exterior building elements and landscaping, to control heat generated by solar radiation. Passive solar can also make maximum use of the sun’s light to substitute for using electricity to light your building. To maximize solar heating and minimize overheating in summer, a ratio of approximately eight per cent window to floor area is recommended for south walls.
Active Solar Heating
Active solar systems use solar collectors, usually on a roof, to collect the sun’s heat and an associated distribution system to transfer the heat where it is required through the use of pumps and fans. Frequently the heat is transferred to a storage system to be used when needed. The heat is circulated using a water and antifreeze combination in most cases. Applications for active solar energy include space heating, domestic hot water and pre-heating water for commercial facilities such as laundries, car washes or recreational buildings.
Photovoltaic Technology
Photovoltaics are a form of solar energy sometimes referred to as solar electric systems. It is a technology consisting of semiconductor modules or panels that convert the sun's energy directly into electricity. Photovoltaics are most economic when the size of the electrical load is relatively small and in remote locations where conventional electricity is not available or extremely expensive.
Solar Links
Alberta Research Council Solar Thermal Building Products
The Solar Thermal Building products group of the Alberta Research Council develops solar systems with a focus on applying this technology to residential housing. The primary goal of the group is to develop an integrated solar system capable of meeting energy demands for residential houses: http://www.arc.ab.ca/.
Solar Energy Society of Canada
The mission of Solar Energy Society of Canada (SESCI) is to advance the awareness, understanding and use of solar energy in Canada. SESCI promotes the increased use of solar and other renewable energies in Canada.
To promote these goals, SESCI has developed programs in three broad areas: education, technical development and public policy: http://www.sesci.ca/.
Canadian Solar Industries Association (CanSIA)
CanSIA promotes the professional and practical use of solar technologies in Canada. CanSIA works to strengthen the Canadian solar industry, increase the professionalism of companies, foster domestic and international markets, and promote the use of renewable energies: http://www.cansia.ca/.
Solar Projects
The Drake Landing Solar Community (DLSC)
A master planned neighbourhood in the Town of Okotoks, Alberta, has successfully integrated Canadian energy efficient technologies with solar energy. The first of its kind in North America, DLSC is heated by a district system designed to store abundant solar energy underground during the summer months and distribute the energy to each home for space heating needs during winter months: http://www.dlsc.ca/.
Photovoltaic and Wind Power on an Alberta School
In July 2004, Cochrane High School installed thirty photovoltaic solar panels onto the roof of their school. A wind turbine was added in October, 2004: http://www.sustainabledevelopment.ca/
