Who needs solar panels?

Just because you can't afford solar panels just yet, doesn't mean you can't harness the sun's energy for your gain.

Welcome to the world of passive solar design: Believe it or not, your home's windows, walls, and floors can be designed and used to heat your home in the winter and cool it in the summer. Because passive solar design doesn't involve the use of mechanical or electrical devices to move the solar heat through the house, it uses far less energy than a traditionally or even actively solar designed home.

Window placement, insulation, roof overhangs and many other elements all play critical roles in passive solar design. Still curious? This is how a passive solar home design works.

Want to know more? Check out the U.S. Department of Energy's Consumer's Guide to Passive Solar Home Design.

Image www.sxc.hu, mike wade