1. active solar techniques
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a.
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orientation with respect to solar sources
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b.
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photovoltaic panels with distribution
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c.
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photovoltaic panels with storage
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d.
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solar thermal collectors with distribution
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e.
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solar thermal collectors with storage
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2. passive solar techniques
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a.
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orientation with respect to solar sources
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b.
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thermal-absorbing by material
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c.
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thermal-retaining by mass
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d.
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light or thermal dispersing properties
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If the amount of sunlight that actually strikes the earth is considered, conservative assumptions would conclude that there is a lot of land exposed to the Sun and available for collecting sunlight. Estimating that every square yard of land exposed will receive an average of 5 kW-hours of solar energy per day [20], an area covering 100 square yards would generate 500 kW-hours per day. Comparatively, the average household in the United States consumes 500-1000 kW-hours of electrical energy in one month [18], as quantified in a typical energy bill. Consequently, if energy from the Sun were harnessed efficiently and effectively, there should be limitless energy resources to accommodate those demand requirements. Nanotechnology factors into this real-time equation. One nanomaterial of particular interest is titanium dioxide which, when combined with a special dye, will absorb solar energy and convert that energy into electrical energy.[18] The general aspiration and motivation is that these photovoltaic cells will be more efficient due to nanotechnologies, cost less to produce due to nanomaterials, and have significantly less affect on the environment than typical solar cells due to nanoscalar dimensions.
