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Solar Energy New York |
Solar Energy, New York?
Wondering if your residential home or commercial business in New York can take full advantage of solar energy panels and the renewable energy they provide? It might interest you to know that New York receives almost as much sun as Florida, definitely more than enough to provide your home with enough solar energy to keep you living comfortably without having to rely on city-provided electricity.
Solar energy in New York is rapidly becoming a popular alternative to utility companies, for many reasons. First and foremost, the savings garnered by using solar energy in New York are significant, considering electric rates continue to rise year after year, and in some cases, incentives and rebates may be offered to homeowners and businesses that install solar panels. |
How do solar panels work?
Typically solar panels are installed on the rooftops of residential homes and small commercial buildings. The solar panels are comprised of solar cells known as solar photovoltaics, or solar PV. These silicon semiconductors convert sunlight into direct-current (DC) electricity. The solar PV cells contain no moving parts, do not require fuel, emit zero green house gas (GHG) emissions, and are 100% silent. Their only requirement to generate electricity is sunlight.
Solar energy panels in New York are wired directly to your circuit breaker box, serving to decrease your utility bills or even eliminate them altogether. Once the solar panels are installed, you’ll find that they are the most cost-effective method of providing electricity for your home, and the easiest to maintain.
Additionally, the clean, renewable energy is good for both your home and for the environment, serving to help reduce the need for fossil fuels and toxic gas emissions. The move to residential solar energy is on the rise across the nation as both consumers and utility companies gain both an increased awareness of global warming and a better understanding of renewable energy sources, with the sun being the most prevalent and environmentally friendly.
As utility rates continue to rise year after year, coupled with the high cost of living in New York, can you really afford not to take advantage of the savings residential solar energy in New York can provide?
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Heating Cooling & Ventilation
In the United States, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems account for 30% (4.65 EJ) of the energy used in commercial buildings and nearly 50% (10.1 EJ) of the energy used in residential buildings. Solar heating, cooling and ventilation technologies can be used to offset a portion of this energy.
Thermal mass is any material that can be used to store heat—heat from the Sun in the case of solar energy. Common thermal mass materials include stone, cement and water. Historically they have been used in arid climates or warm temperate regions to keep buildings cool by absorbing solar energy during the day and radiating stored heat to the cooler atmosphere at night. However they can be used in cold temperate areas to maintain warmth as well. The size and placement of thermal mass depend on several factors such as climate, daylighting and shading conditions. When properly incorporated, thermal mass maintains space temperatures in a comfortable range and reduces the need for auxiliary heating and cooling equipment.
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A solar chimney (or thermal chimney, in this context) is a passive solar ventilation system composed of a vertical shaft connecting the interior and exterior of a building. As the chimney warms, the air inside is heated causing an updraft that pulls air through the building. Performance can be improved by using glazing and thermal mass materials in a way that mimics greenhouses.[citation needed]
Deciduous trees and plants have been promoted as a means of controlling solar heating and cooling. When planted on the southern side of a building, their leaves provide shade during the summer, while the bare limbs allow light to pass during the winter.]Since bare, leafless trees shade 1/3 to 1/2 of incident solar radiation, there is a balance between the benefits of summer shading and the corresponding loss of winter heating. In climates with significant heating loads, deciduous trees should not be planted on the southern side of a building because they will interfere with winter solar availability. They can, however, be used on the east and west sides to provide a degree of summer shading without appreciably affecting winter solar gain. |
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