Case Study: The Go Green Home
Case Study Solar Design
PHOTOVOLTAIC
At The Go Green Home we're installing approximately 742 square feet of photovoltaic (PV) panels on the roof, which will produce up to 7 kilowatts of energy. To illustrate, the average American household uses 600 kilowatt hours of electricity per month; a 7 kilowatt PV system can produce over 1,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity per month. Any excess energy can be fed back into the grid; the power company credits you for that energy, and you single-handedly reduce the demand for power generated by non-renewable resources. With nearly 300 days of sunshine each year, the Los Angeles basin is a natural for solar power.
PASSIVE SOLAR
The Go Green Home makes good use of passive solar design strategies as well. Most windows and glass doors are located on the south wall; this eases the demand for artificial lighting. Less artificial light = less heat = less artificial cooling. The end result? Energy efficiency. Rooms on the hot northwest corner include the garage, master bath and media room, all areas which benefit from having fewer windows.
4) Solar Design