Solar Power
The perFORM[D]ance House employs passive strategies when it can, however when active responses are necessary, the house is equipped with solar panel and solar thermal systems. Solar Panels collect energy from the sun and convert it into electricity. Solar thermal tubes collect the sun’s warmth, which is used to heat water. In an effort to conserve energy, the house is filled with Energy Star rated appliances and can monitor its own energy consumption using an automated system based on sensors and timers.
How does this affect us?
Miami
Did you know that if we equipped every home in Florida, the Carolinas, Texas, Arizona, New Mexico and California, the U.S. would have over 70% of its electricity needs met with only the sun's power.
U.S.A
Over the next 20 years U.S. energy demands are predicted to increase by 45%. If we equipped half the houses in America with full-sized solar panels, America could have 25 years of energy independence from the rest of the world.
World
Americans constitute 5% of the world's population but consume 24% of the world's energy. Only 0.01% of this energy is produced by solar.
