| This question has been niggling my mind for a long | | | | question, and none are planned. In their blind zeal |
| time. I couldn't find any concrete answers to it. A | | | | to plug us in to a solar energy home, scientists |
| solar energy home is still in its nascent stages. | | | | seem to totally ignore possible fire hazards of |
| In a solar energy home the layout and the plan of | | | | solar energy in a solar energy home. Sunlight |
| the house is designed to bring in maximum | | | | reaching us directly from the sun at naturally safe |
| sunlight into the house. The house itself is made | | | | levels poses little fire threat. But all one has to do |
| with material that will help in getting solar energy | | | | is concentrate sunlight, with a simple burning- |
| into the home. How is solar energy generated? | | | | glass, and it readily ignites flammable materials. |
| Solar energy is generated by nuclear fusion within | | | | Who would feel safe with solar energy |
| the sun. This process operates on the very same | | | | concentrators on their roof? Will the insurance |
| basic laws of nuclear physics used in nuclear | | | | companies take responsibility? |
| power plants and atomic bombs! Is it safe to live | | | | Moreover during winter and in places like Ireland |
| in a solar energy home? Now don't panic. The | | | | where the sun rarely comes up solar energy |
| answer is both yes and no as we do not yet | | | | homes cannot be possible. There alternative |
| know the hazards or disadvantages caused by | | | | methods have to be used to heating the house. |
| the sun. Sun's energy depends purely on the | | | | The two most difficult challenges in designing a |
| whims of the sun. Is the sun dependable is | | | | solar energy home with minimal dependence on |
| debatable. | | | | fossil fuels have been air conditioning and cooking. |
| When we see the sun directly our eyes start | | | | In the hot, humid state of Florida, air conditioning |
| burning. If that is the case how can we use the | | | | is needed more for dehumidification than for |
| electricity from it? In a solar energy home all | | | | cooling. Without some form of dehumidification, |
| appliances run on solar power. How safe will it be | | | | mold and mushroom can become a serious |
| is worth thinking. We always stay out of direct | | | | problem. A solar energy home has to be designed |
| sunlight as much as possible. The evidence is | | | | to minimize mold and mushroom problems |
| already clear that too much exposure to sunlight | | | | through use of ventilation. |
| can cause skin cancer. But solar collectors would | | | | In a solar energy home cooking becomes a major |
| concentrate that sunlight and convert it to | | | | challenge with minimal reliance on fossil fuel. How |
| electricity and pipe it into our solar energy homes | | | | safe is it to eat that food is doubtful. If it can be |
| to enlighten us from every light bulb! We would | | | | proved that there will be no health hazards then a |
| then not even be safe from this cancer-producing | | | | solar energy home will be the safest home to live |
| energy even in our own homes! | | | | in. |
| No medical study has yet addressed itself to this | | | | |