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Q: Can photovoltaics be used with your dome? The following came from an article that ran in the Home Power magazine. What do you need when you are going to live in a high desert (7,500 ft. elev.) 40 miles from the nearest town with the winters reaching down 20 degrees below zero? That is where Jim & Mary Collar planned to build their solar retirement home. To extend electric power to their home site would cost $22,000 (in 1996) so the Collars decided to produce their power using photovoltaic solar cells with a back up generator. Their primary source of heat would be their fireplace. In 1995 after researching many alternative-building methods, they found their home, an American Ingenuity 45' Dome House and 30' garage. Our dome kits were selected for their strength, energy efficiency and affordability. They selected subcontractors for the construction of their two domes with Mary being the general contractor. Jim was commuting 40 miles to his job but on evenings and weekends they could work together. They were asked by the state of Utah to participate in “Utahs’1998 Tour of Innovative Homes” which is in conjunction with the American solar Energy Society’s National Tour of solar Homes. The Collars can be reached at their email address This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it The four photos below are a reprint of that Home Power article. Click on the photo or page to enlarge it. An American Ingenuity Dome built in Vermont utilizing photovoltaics. Click on the photo to enlarge it.
National Center for Photovoltaics (NCPV)US Department of Energy. Research and development, and information source on photovoltaics. Website includes a virtual library of online reference materials. The Center brings people together through conferences and forums to share information and concerns. And the Center provides and develops various forms of information for people with a wide range of needs. Click on www.nrel.gov/ncpv/ The Florida Solar Energy Centerwww.fsec.ucf.edu/pvt/ seeks to provide the general public and professionals with accurate and current information about alternative energy use and production (photovoltaic).
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