Thermal Panel
Panel is a flat or curved component, typically rectangular, that forms or is set into the surface of a door, wall, or ceiling. Thermal panel collects heat by absorbing sunlight, then transfer to other uses, for example hot water.1 Rocky Mountain Institute is a successful experimental house, one important feature is that it is not using the traditional HVAC system; instead, through deliberate design at each corner of the house, under an extreme environment, the house is thermally insulated very well. Lovins utilizes photovoltaic panels and thermal panels to maximizing solar energy, taking advantage of natural energy.2 These panels nearly double the amount of solar electricity production, enough for the house’s need. Solar panel products such as water heaters were populated in daily life for a short period of time, the slogan of more energy efficiency and more economical did attract a lot attention. However, probably because of the immature technology, these products were not functioning properly that they were soon abandoned. Even though having a not so succeed history, considering the long-term benefit of using natural energies in daily life, economically or environmentally, it is still promising.