Northern Lights New Energy

Solar energy is energy from the sun in the form of radiated light and heat. The sun’s radiant energy can be used to provide lighting and heat for buildings and to produce electricity. It is a renewable resource and unique for its ability to generate energy in a quiet, clean, and consistent manner over long periods of time.

There are two common solar technologies that folks talk about:

1. Solar photovoltaics (PV) which harnesses the sun’s light to produce electricity. Solar PV is really taking off in Alberta, and it works well in northern climates because solar PV actually has better production capability in the cold.

2. Solar thermal which harnesses the sun’s heat, usually to heat water.

Alberta has excellent solar resource! By installing solar on your home or business you are making an investment in the future that goes beyond a measurable dollar value, and you are setting a leading example for Albertans to follow in our province’s transition to a renewable energy future. Here are our top reasons to Go Solar!

Solar Installations…

· Drastically reduce or even eliminate your electric bills
• Protect against rising energy costs
• Pay for themselves through energy cost reductions and/ or energy export credits
• Increase your property value
• Protect the environment
• Demonstrate your commitment to sustainability

A Geothermal Heat Pump (GHP), also known as a ground-source heat pump, is a heating and cooling system that can use the Earth’s natural heat to regulate the temperature of a building . The system transfers heat to or from the ground to heat, cool, and even supply hot water to a home.

It takes advantage of the fact that the Earth's temperature below the surface remains relatively constant throughout the year, making it a reliable source for both heating and cooling.

Here's how a geothermal heat pump typically works:

Heat Exchange: The system consists of a series of pipes, called a loop, that is either buried vertically in the ground (geothermal wells) or laid horizontally in trenches. This loop is filled with a heat transfer fluid, usually a mixture of water and antifreeze.

Heat Absorption or Rejection: In heating mode, the fluid in the loop absorbs heat from the ground and carries it into the building. In cooling mode, the process is reversed, and heat is transferred from the building to the ground.

Heat Pump Unit: Inside the building, a heat pump unit extracts heat from the fluid coming from the ground during the heating season and releases it into the building. During the cooling season, it extracts heat from the building and releases it into the ground.

Distribution System: The heat pump is connected to a distribution system, which could be a forced-air duct system, a radiant floor heating system, or a combination of both, to distribute the conditioned air throughout the building.

Green Building, Also Known As Sustainable Building Or Green Construction, Is A Method Of Construction That Is Environmentally Responsible And Resource-Efficient Throughout A Building’s Life-Cycle. It Aims To Produce Healthier Buildings That Have Less Impact On The Environment And Cost Less To Maintain.

Green building encompasses a wide range of practices, including but not limited to:

• Site selection: Green builders are encouraged to build on previously developed land rather than developing new land. It’s also important to build near existing infrastructure, such as bus routes and libraries, to reduce residents’ dependence on transportation .

• Water conservation: Water reduction is built in by design, using low-flow toilets, greywater systems and xeriscaping. Water collection methods such as rainwater harvesting are also central to sustainable building .

• Energy efficiency: Green buildings are constructed using energy efficient designs. Processes that make use of clean energy such as geothermal and solar PV systems are also widely used in sustainable building .

• Material usage: Green builders reduce material usage wherever possible. They also reuse and recycle materials by salvaging, deconstructing, remanufacturing and refurbishing. Preference is given to materials that are durable because they don’t need to be replaced as often. Care is also taken in selecting materials that are sustainably produced, come from natural, renewable sources, and require minimal transportation .

There are several comprehensive rating systems that certify green buildings, such as LEED, Living Building Challenge and BuildGreen, which measure the sustainability of a building according to a number of criteria . Taken together, these criteria form an accurate picture of what green building is all about.