| At first glance, solar cooling looks like an | | | | |
| oxymoron. However, the same energy that can | | | | Solar panels can also be used to operate |
| provide heat in the wintertime can also | | | | traditional air conditioners. As it happens, |
| provide cooling during the summer. | | | | the periods of intense heat correspond to the |
| | | | periods of peak electricity production from |
| Several passive cooling systems have been | | | | photovoltaic cells. As long as you have |
| developed and tested. At their simplest, | | | | solar panels which generate sufficient to |
| they rely on a coolant that absorbs and | | | | electricity, you can operate air conditioners |
| dissipates heat from the house. This could | | | | at no cost. |
| be a pool of water on the rooftop which | | | | |
| absorbs seat from the inside of the house as | | | | Solar cooling that does not take advantage of |
| it evaporates on exposure to the sun. | | | | high technology is another possibility. The |
| | | | Romans used a system of running water to cool |
| More sophisticated passive solar cooling | | | | down exterior walls of their houses. The |
| systems have a solar collector which is | | | | heat of the sun causes the water to evaporate |
| shaded during the daytime. A storage medium | | | | and dissipate the heat within the house. |
| collects heat during the day and dissipates | | | | This kind of system can be used on walls or |
| it at night by exposing the solar collector | | | | on rooftops. |
| to the cool night air. | | | | |
| | | | Heating and cooling are two of the biggest |
| Since the solar collector must be shaded, a | | | | expenses for most households. Using solar |
| retractable awning or overhang extension can | | | | energy to reduce this expense makes sense |
| be installed. Since the system can be | | | | financially as well as ecologically. The |
| reversed in the winter months, it is | | | | less dependent we are on fossil fuels for |
| important that the solar collector can be | | | | heating and cooling the cleaner the |
| exposed to sunshine if needed. | | | | environment will be. |