So

The sun, or solar energy,
is an obvious and seemingly
practical answer to the
universal energy situation.
In contrast to our finite fossil
fuel resources, it is clean and
non-polluting, and a
naturally, continuous | and
inexhaustitle energy source.
It is a resource that com-
bines practical solutions of
the past with the technical
knowledge of the present.

The idea of using the sun's
energy has been advocated
by scientists for hundreds of
years. Their promising
predictions have been mind-
boggling. Consider that the
sunlight falling on earth
could theoretically provide
100,000 times the total
energy output of all cxisting
power stations!

Solar systems supplying
domestic hot water are
commercially used in India,
Australia, the USSR, Japan
(with over two million units,)

wre

and Israel (one-fifth of all
homes). No more than
40,000 buildings of all kinds
in the U.S. have = solar
devices.

Only when the cnergy
“problem” became a “crisis”
did Americans begin to
explore the sun's potential
seriously.

The technology, the basic
equipment, and the need
may be a reality, but the
demand for solar units is
lethargic. “Lack of = in-
centive”™ is often cited as a
major cause, and many feel
if the tax credit policies
stabilize, the demand will
soar.

\

Cost is unquestionably a
factor. It is recognized that
buildings with active solar
systems have a high first-
cost. Those accepting that
fact are wrestling with the
payback factor which can

7

range from one year to forty
years.

Cost. is one of the reasons
many homeowners § are
opting for a passiye system.
Solar design is divided into
two types: passive and
active. ‘

An active solar system can
previde hot water, space
heating. of both. The
amount of heat the system
supplies depends on how
many colléctors are used,
and the amount of time heat
lasts over cloudy days
depends on the size of the
storage tank.

Passive systems are the
casiest to understand.
Passive systems use the
actual building structure as
both the collector and the
storage medium. No
mechanical hardware is
necessary though auxiliary
equipment can be used if
desired. The Pueblo Indians’

the Horseshoe Bay area as the fleets prepare for the summer salling season. (Ian Smith photo)

The alternative for home energy

adobe dwellings
examples of early passive
solar houses.

There are a variety of
passive techniques that can
be applied to interior and
architectural design.

Any dark masonry
material such as stone or
cement walls, or slate or tile
floors, will absorb the sun’s
rays during the day, and
slowly release the heat at
night. In two-story houses,
louvres, vents and fans can
be placed so that the heat
rises toan upper floor.

Many consumers doubt
that expensive active solar
units will cut their fue] bills
enough to pay back costs
quickly. In some cases they
are justified, though if
conventional fuel prices
continue to rise, solar units
will become increasingly
more attractive.

arc.

Newsstand
. locations

Every Saturday morning, the Sunday News
Real Estate Showcase will be on over 100
newsstands—including all North Shore real estate

offices, major hotels, shopping malls, retail
outlets in the following areas:

oe poe

North and West Vancouver
Vancouver .
Richmond

Burnaby

Surrey

Delta

New Westminster

FO VenEE 190 eqmmmTtTe 0 ENT eR

Page 51, May 20, 1979 - Sunday News _

a