Believe it: Solar power works well in Washington

By John Wolcott
SCBJ Freelance Writer

EDMONDS — Solar energy installations in the Pacific Northwest are proving their worth, despite persistent public misconceptions that winter’s overcast skies make solar technology useless.

Chris Herman, owner of Winter Sun Design in Edmonds, concedes winter solar rays aren’t as good as summer ones, but he knows that cloudy days still collect solar energy and that the region still can gain benefits from solar installations.

“People don’t realize that a passive solar home in Western Washington can still get 50 percent of its space heating from solar features, while adding less than 2 percent to the cost of home construction,” Herman said.

Credentials behind his views include his 25-year business venture designing houses with passive solar features, sustainable “green” building design and consulting services. He founded Solar Washington, the Northwest Eco-Building Guild and Sustainable Edmonds, and is interim president of the Edmonds Community Solar Cooperative.

Trained as a certified professional building designer, Herman regularly provides classes in solar energy systems at the University of Washington. His projects have included a solar heated cabin on Lopez Island and a passive solar sunroom for a Lake Roesiger-area home.

Herman has been using low-toxin building materials and energy systems since 1987, providing additional insights to home building options for people with allergies.

“A good passive solar home requires no air conditioning, even in Eastern Washington, because it’s design provides architecturally for proper heating, cooling and day lighting,” he said. “It employs standard construction practices and materials and the design can achieve 20 to 30 percent savings on heating with no added construction cost. We also work with the layout of windows and room areas, as well as roof overhangs and venting, plus the prevailing local weather patterns.”

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