[Hootowl99]

There are two ways to work with solar energy, active solar panels that produce electricity and passive solar energy in the form of heat. Neither active nor passive are likely to make a home totally self sufficient solely without some additional, backup energy means...Well, unless you have lots of wheel barrows of $$$ to toss to it!

That being said, you can radically reduce your self reliance on other energy sources although this will require some lifestyle adaptations and not just loads of $$$.

To get a feel for the effect of location on solar energy in general and specifically on passive solar energy, I recommend a really outstanding book The Passive Solar Energy Book, Edward Mazria, Rodale Press, 1979. Yes, it's been in print a long time but it's the best I've found for the basics and walks you through the key design factors very well. I've adapted its information to industrial design, not just residential where I have also applied it.

In addition, take a look at expedition vehicle strategies for self sufficiency including solar. www.expeditionportal.com has very good information on this and a homeowner can pick up some useful tricks.

[MsLady]

Thank you so much for the info. I’ll check out the website and the book.