What negative environmental impacts are there from manufacturing solar panels?
I’d like to green up my existing home during our next remodel, but my husband reminded me that the materials, energy, low returnn, not to mention the aesthetic scar on nature really didn’t outweigh the productivity yet. He suggested designing passive solar passages on the south side with convection and wind energy to disburse the household heat.
I get the impression PV panels have become quite fashionable in the States, I heard of someone in the UK placing a panel on the north side of the building "because that’s where people will see it".
I’m not sure on the amont of embedded energy in PV panels, it is too significant to be the best option environmentally in the context of installing them on an house which is on grid.
You’ve got yourself a smart man there. I have heard about people using fans to move heat from the south to noth side with success, I’m not sure you mean wind energy as such.
Below is a link to a book on the subject.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Passive-Solar-House-Design-Independent/dp/0930031970
Don’t forget your solar water heating, not pretty, but probably worth it.
aesthetic scar, love it.
solar panels have a long return on investment But they are renewal energy so in long term they b better.
his suggestion depends on location location.
we don’t worry about solar heating, we’re interested in cooling.
Daisy theres a magazine on alternate energy. Home Power Magazine, you can down load it free on line. It covers manufacturing waste, reliabelity, well over the issues you will find any info. on any type alternate energy.
That’s just not true. Solar heat only costs to install, not use. Most of the time, the electric company owes YOU money. I would buy a home with solar panels in working condition, you bet.
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