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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,)

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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.

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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

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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.

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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:

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North and West Vancouver Vancouver . Richmond

Burnaby

Surrey

Delta

New Westminster

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Page 51, May 20, 1979 - Sunday News _

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