Passive Solar

The Sun Path Diagram

Shadow Studies
Sundials
Table-Top Heliodon
Site Analysis
Site Analysis
Heliodons
 A passive solar building can provide
60% to 80% of the required heating in
the United States - Lechner

A 1 drop in design temperature for

the buildings heating system can save
10% in energy consumption.
 Passive Solar

Passive systems are able to meet

human needs without the use of non-
renewable energy sources.
 Passive Solar History

Designing with the Sun in mind

Cappadocia, Turkey
Guadix, Spain
Mesa Verde, Colorado
Cliff Palace ruin
Pueblo Bonita, New Mexico
Acoma Mesa, New Mexico
Greek and Roman
A Golden Thread
Modern Solar
Earth Sheltered
Buffer Zones
Passive Solar Design Elements

A Collector
A Energy Storage Element
 The Collector

South Facing Glazing

Orientation
Seasonal Variation
Types of Glazing
Tuning
Orientation
 Seasonal Variation

Sun Shades
Roof Overhangs
Light Shelves (Day-lighting Strategy)
Landscape Elements
 Types of Glazing

Number of Panes
Coatings
Gas Filled
Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC)
0.6 or higher
Convection (Seal Drafts)
Conduction (Limit Thermal Bridging)
Heat Gain vs. Daylight vs. Views
 Types of Glazing

Number of Panes
Coatings
Gas Filled
 Solar Heat Gain Coefficient
Types of Glazing
Collector Tuning

Area of Glazing

Example: 20 x 30 room:

(600 sf) x .24 = 144 sf

30 x 9 wall = 270 sf

= 53% of wall
The Storage Element

Thermal Mass

Location
Color
Materials
Effective Depth
Tuning
 Thermal Mass
Thermal mass refers to materials have the capacity to store
thermal energy for extended periods

Applications
Passive solar heating
Passive cooling
Commercial buildings
- passive
- active (ice storage)

Functions:
Moderates indoor temperature fluctuations
Reduces heat flow through envelope
Stores energy
Reduces & shifts peak loads
Is thermal mass always good for comfort
control?
 Too much mass?

U. Of Massachusetts
Fine Arts Center
Roche & Dinkeloo
Biltmore Hotel, Phoenix
Frank Lloyd Wright
Zion National Park
Headquarters,
Springdale, Utah
Effects of thermal mass on indoor temperature swings
- Generic Building
Effects of thermal mass on indoor temperature swings
- Generic Building

Delay, or thermal lag

Effects of thermal mass on indoor temperature swings
- Generic Building

Dampening
Effects of thermal mass on indoor temperature swings
- Different materials

Delay
Dampening
 General design guidelines

Thermal mass needs:

An adequate outdoor temperature swing
To be exposed to the indoor air
To be well-distributed
To cycle continuously

Other design considerations

Construction methods
Exposed interior surfaces, finishes
Acoustical issues
Control issues / slow response time
Night-cooled thermal mass
Mass in the envelope (e.g., adobe)
Daily temperature profiles through a thick masonry wall

Noon Day Late Afternoon Early

to Sunrise Morning
Daily temperature profiles through a thick masonry wall

Noon Day
Daily temperature profiles through a thick masonry wall

Late afternoon
to sunrise
Daily temperature profiles through a thick masonry wall

Early Morning
Materials

Adobe
Concrete
Stone
Rammed Earth
Others
Phase Change Materials
 Color

Dark Colors work best

Low thermal mass should be

painted white to increase
reflectance
 Effective Depth

4-5 is considered most effective

Even Distribution
 Storage Area Tuning

Thermal Mass Area

Example: 20 x 30 room:

(600 sf) x .24 = 144 sf

30 x 9 wall = 270 sf (glazing area)

(270 sf) x 3 = 810 sf (floor/wall)

 Storage Area Tuning

Thermal Mass Area

Example: 20 x 30 room:

(600 sf) x .24 = 144 sf

30 x 9 wall = 270 sf (glazing area)

(270 sf) x 1 = 270 sf (wall)

Passive Solar Systems

Direct Gain

Indirect Gain
Thermal Walls
Roof Ponds

Isolated Gain
Sunspaces
Types of Systems for Passive Heating
 Direct-Gain Passive Solar System
Generic Design Elements:
South facing windows collect
winter solar energy
Nighttime insulation on glass
Insulation on outside of
envelope keeps heat in
Thermal mass on inside
stabilizes temperature
fluctuations
Overhang prevents summer
solar heat gain
Direct Gain
David Wright Residence
Santa Fe, New Mexico

Winter Day
Indirect Gain Systems
 Thermal Wall

Indirect Gain
Conduction
Time delay in heat transferred
 Trombe Wall System
Generic Design Elements:
South facing windows collect
winter solar energy
Absorbing wall collects and
stores heat energy
Natural convection circulates
heat
Radiation from wall augments
heat transfer
Trombe Wall System
Hostel for Youth Education Institute
Thomas Herzog, Windberg, Germany

Exterior detail
N-facing service block
 Hostel, Herzog

South faade
- recessed 1st floor
- section shows winter sun angles
- thermal storage wall behind glass
Schematic Section of
Thermal Storage Wall
- fixed translucent insulation (TI) in air space
between mass & glass
- shading provided by large roof overhang
+ roll-down blinds between glass & TI

SWL, Strategy #62, Thermal Storage Walls

Types of Systems for Systems
Isolated Gain Passive Heating
 Sunspace or Attached Greenhouse

Isolated-gain
Convection
Heat transferred instantly
Sunspace - Solargreen House
Fuller Moore

Winter Day

Summer Day

Winter Night
IBN Institute for Forestry and Natural Resources
Wageningen, The Netherlands
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