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Solar Electric Systems |
Plugging in to the sun insulates your household from rising and increasingly unpredictable utility costs, makes use of a free and unlimited energy source, and reduces your carbon footprint and use of nonrenewable resources. |
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Solar Water-Heating |
Half of the gas used in a typical home in this region is used to heat water. Solar water-heating systems can provide 70% or more of a household’s hot-water needs. They are especially smart for those with swimming pools or spas. |
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Passively |
Santa Paula: Taking full advantage of the sun to heat a building and the breeze to cool it is called “passive solar design,” and this house makes the most of these no-cost sources of energy—along with numerous other earth-friendly ideas. |
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Sun-Powered |
Simi Valley: Energy-efficient construction using Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) in the walls, floor, and ceiling provides better insulation and quicker assembly than conventional methods. Add solar panels and electric bills vanish. |
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Working Out the Bugs |
Ventura: The energy challenge at Rincon-Vitova Insectaries: Keeping billions of tiny livestock at their optimum temperature and humidity year-round takes a huge amount of energy. Solar panels and a tankless water heater help. |
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Ventura |
Ventura: A 123 kW solar photovoltaic (PV) array atop the City of Ventura’s maintenance yard marks a big step toward one of the city’s energy-conservation goals: Creating a “net zero” electricity maintenance yard. |
