Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences energy extension specialist Wendell Porter checks one of three passive solar trackers outside a demonstration house on the University of Florida campus. The 24 solar panels in the trackers provide enough electricity to completely power the 900-square-foot house behind Porter, including air conditioning, heat (using a  heat pump), lights and computers. The trackers use the heat from the sun to keep the panels pointed at the sun throughout  the day. Porter said the house was built to demonstrate that a typical house can be powered primarily by solar power  using off-the-shelf components. (AP photo: Eric Zamora University of Florida/IFAS).  Back to Print News Release Index