1. The technical options for obtaining solar energy

These depend on the size, location and alignment of the available areas on the building. It is best to integrate the use of solar energy into the design of the house from the start.

Warm air is generated in air collectors behind a lit glass pane. This type of energy from the sun is harvested to some extent in virtually every home. The warm air can be routed via shafts to areas that are not directly behind the glass pane.

Hot water is produced in collectors and can be used both for direct use and to support heating. Electric current is generated in photovoltaic elements. If not consumed immediately, it can be stored in a battery.

2. The organizational implementation of solar energy production

The best type of implementation builds on an overall concept that takes the long-term perspective into account. Collectors for hot water and photovoltaic elements for power generation should be coordinated.

A solar consultant can help with this and can also explain to the homeowner the options for the grants available. You can find out how skylights can be funded for example here.

For a variety of reasons, renovation work must be carried out regularly on a house. It then makes a lot of sense to include the use of solar energy in this work. For example, if the roof needs repairing, there is an opportunity to install solar panels.

Another possibility is this refurbishment the systems for heating and for the provision of warm water. After solar collectors feed their hot water into these systems, a corresponding expansion is immediately obvious.

One area that is often overlooked is near the roof the facade of the house. Modules for using solar energy can also be attached there.

Appropriate adjustments also allow the passive use of the sun without any collectors.

• Depending on the architecture, the windows can be enlarged, reducing the need for heating.
• Plants on or in the immediate vicinity of the house reduce the need for cooling in summer.

3. Solar energy and architecture

It goes without saying that professionals are needed to carry out the work. However, it is often overlooked that the use of solar energy is also a task for architects. The necessary elements can be harmoniously integrated into the design of the building (see e.g https://www.energieschweiz.ch/gebaeude/solare-architektur/ ). This applies not only to the house itself, but also to the surrounding area, such as an embankment.

It is therefore worthwhile to consult a suitably interested architect. The modules for using solar energy not only do not have to disturb the visual impression of a property, they can even support it. They can be used to shade conservatories or patios.

Not only the south side of the house is interesting for this, but also the south-west and south-east directions.

Collectors for hot water require relatively little space. For this use, the deep winter sun should be taken into account, for which the modules should be placed at a steep angle. Mounting on the facade is also conceivable. evacuated tube collectors are more efficient than the usual ones and only need about two thirds of the area for the same performance.

Even if the winter sun is not sufficient for the desired temperature of the water, its effect should not be underestimated. Every degree of warming enables a significant saving of the energy sources that would otherwise be required. This applies to oil or gas as well as to renewable raw materials such as wood.

Photovoltaic elements need more space than hot water collectors. It makes sense to get quotes from different companies prior to installation. Opportunities to join a larger order of elements where there are corresponding price advantages through economies of scale are desirable. In any case, the elements themselves should come from well-known manufacturers in order to be able to reliably call up their performance over their entire service life. The same applies to the installation company, which should have extensive experience with such work.