Passive Solar Roof Design

In addition the heat produced by the sun causes air movement that can be predictable in designed spaces.

Passive solar roof design. May 27 2020 explore russell crosby s board passive solar house design on pinterest. See more ideas about solar house passive solar house design. This is called passive solar design because unlike active solar heating systems it does not involve the use of mechanical and electrical devices. Passive solar design refers to the use of the sun s energy for the heating and cooling of living spaces by exposure to the sun.

A well designed passive solar home first reduces heating and cooling loads through energy efficiency strategies and then meets those reduced loads in whole or part with solar energy. Only solar panels or pv generate electricity using the photovoltaic pv effect. Passive solar heating uses free heating direct from the sun to dramatically reduce the estimated 40 of energy consumed in the average home for space heating and cooling. In passive solar home design exterior roof overhangs provide a practical method for shading building elements such as windows doors and walls.

When sunlight strikes a building the building materials can reflect transmit or absorb the solar radiation. Most climates require both passive heating and cooling. How roof overhangs or other window overhangs work to control heat and solar gain overhangs are most effective for south facing elements in the northern hemisphere and at midday. Many heating and cooling design objectives overlap but different emphasis is required depending on your climate needs.

Light colored homes reflect the sun s light reducing the amount of heat retained in the walls and therefore lowering summer cooling loads. Passive solar homes can be any color just like normal homes but they lose a major advantage if they aren t painted to suit the climate. Passive solar design takes advantage of a building s site climate and materials to minimize energy use. Natural convection and ventilation.

In passive solar building design windows walls and floors are made to collect store reflect and distribute solar energy in the form of heat in the winter and reject solar heat in the summer. Passive solar design begins with the simple idea that you can build a house that uses natural heating cooling ventilation and daylighting.