| Passive Solar Design consists of architectural | | | | Direct Gain relies on multiple windows and heat |
| elements such as windows and building layouts | | | | absorbing construction materials, such as concrete |
| that seek to take advantage of sunlight in order | | | | walls or floors, to collect the sun's heat. Direct |
| to heat or power a building. Collection, storage, | | | | Gain design precludes the use of carpet since |
| and use of the sun's heat reduces energy bills and | | | | concrete must be exposed to absorb heat. In |
| carbon emissions from more traditional energy | | | | general, for each square foot of south facing |
| sources. | | | | glass, 150 pounds of concrete will be used. |
| | | | |
| Making your own solar and wind power for less | | | | Making your own solar and wind power for less |
| than $200 | | | | than $200 |
| Types | | | | Indirect Gain |
| There are three different ways to approach | | | | Indirect gain passive solar design collects the sun's |
| passive solar design. Direct Gain allows sun to | | | | heat outside of the living space and then conducts |
| directly penetrate a building via windows and uses | | | | it where desired. This method of passive solar |
| heat absorbing materials to soak up the ambient | | | | design uses between 30 to 45% of the sun's |
| warmth. Indirect Gain absorbs sunlight and stores | | | | heat. Trombe walls, solar panels, and roof ponds |
| it for later use, but does not allow for any direct | | | | are examples of indirect passive design methods. |
| access into a building. Isolated Gain concentrates | | | | Roof Ponds use 6 to 12 inches of water on the |
| heat to a specific area of the living space and | | | | roof and word best in regions with low humidity. |
| elements are often stored apart from the main | | | | Trombe walls use thick wall construction to store |
| building structure. | | | | heat and vents to distribute it and solar panels |
| General Passive Design Rules | | | | use sunlight to give silicon an electric charge which |
| Optimal passive design relies on a south facing | | | | generates heat or electricity. |
| building that receives direct sun during the day and | | | | Isolated Gain |
| installation of windows on the south side to | | | | Isolated Gain refers to passive solar design where |
| maximize passive heat collection. Buildings should | | | | heat collection is focused on one specific area |
| also be built in more of a rectangular shape to | | | | apart from the main living space. A sun room is |
| provide additional south facing space. Floor plans | | | | an example of Isolated Gain solar collection and so |
| should be open to allow for free flow of air and | | | | is a closed system that uses water to collect |
| even heat distribution. Sloping roofs will limit heat | | | | heat outside a building and then move heated |
| loss from northern walls of a building. | | | | water inside. Isolated Gain utilizes just 15 to 30% |
| Direct Gain | | | | of the sun's energy. Sunrooms should be vented |
| Direct Gain passive solar design uses livable space | | | | and built with appropriate wall thickness to |
| as a solar collector and will convert between 60% | | | | maximize heat absorption. |
| to 75% of the sun's energy into usable heat. | | | | |