Solar Basics

 (portions courtesy of NC Solar Center, HowStuffWorks.com, PowerScorecard.org, and Sandia National Laboratories)

Solar Thermal

           We have a new page on thermal energy technologies.

Daylighting

           Daylighting refers to the controlled use of sunlight as light, without allowing unwanted heat gain. It differs from just putting in more windows or skylights in several ways. The main difference is that glazing used for daylighting (usually clerestory windows or roof monitors) does not allow the sun to glare into the room directly; it is diffused by light shelves or white walls. The second difference is that a daylighting system is linked to control of artificial lights so they are used only when necessary. And the third difference is that daylighting glazing is protected from summer heat gain by overhangs or awnings.

          We do not yet have a page devoted to daylighting technologies, but our Solar Tours and Annual Meeting venues have several times featured daylit schools designed by Innovative Design of Raleigh.

Electricity Generation:

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