Solar Pool Cover

Just north of Tucson, nestled in the foothills above the city, is the Copper Development Association's solar home. Surely the most elegant example of solar architecture in the world, this showplace displays a lavish use of copper, bronze and brass throughout its design. One example is the massive copper fireplace; another is an entire wall mirrored with brass. But the most outstanding feature is the all-copper roof which acts as a solar collector. Hot water from the collector is used to heat the home in winter and operates absorption-type refrigeration units for cooling in the summer. The pool has its own solar heater which will warm the water and take the chill of any midwinter dip. A third use of the sun's energy comes from a small solar battery panel at the east end of the roof. It provides electric power to operate such things as the television, radio, intercom and a portion of the lighting. Although the price of the luxurious Copper Development Association home is beyond the budget of most of us, the solar energy features which they are testing, such as heating, refrigeration and electrical power, are fast becoming suitable for conventional residences.