OCR Text |
Show Progress made on Solar Energy Significant progress is being made in development of solar energy to supplement sup-plement and--in some cases-provide cases-provide total energy requirements for heating and cooling homes and meeting various energy requirements for agriculture. The latter includes in-cludes heating greenhouses, heating water for milk houses, heating poultry houses, and providing energy for pumping irrigation water. This progress was pointed out Fri. by Dr. Russel M. Holdredge, associate dean, College of Engineering, Utah State University, and others at a solar energy seminar. The seminar concluded a week-long week-long extension annual conference involving about 120 county and state extension workers. Students and others interested in solar energy joined in the seminar. Speakers explained advancements ad-vancements in technology such as heat pumps, solar ponds, more efficient collectors and storage systems. They indicated that solar energy is becoming economically feasible for more purposes. However, 'they cautioned people to benefit from goofs others have made in solar experiences to avoid similar mistakes. Also they advised: before investing, learn what can realistically be expected from a particular solar energy system; be wary of exaggerated claims by those selling the systems. To gain much benefit from solar heating, the speakers emphasized that standard steps to conserve energy must be taken. This requires reducing air leaks, insulating in-sulating walls and ceilings, limiting window space, using double or tripple window panes and selecting a suitable site that provides unshaded south exposure. |