TI No.

01/2011 1

SOLAR PASSIVE ARCHITECTURE

BY
DTE OF WORKS

ENGINEER-IN-CHIEF’S BRANCH
MILITARY ENGINEER SERVICES
INTEGRATED HQ OF MoD (ARMY)
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CONTENTS

TITLES

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Passive solar Architecture.

1.2 As a science

1.3 Passive Solar thermodynamic principles

1.4 Convective heat transfer

1.4.1 Radiative heat transfer

1.4.2 Conductive heat transfer

1.5 Summary of considerations for Solar passive design

2. KEY PASSIVE SOLAR CONCEPTS.

2.1 Direct solar gain

2.2 Indirect solar gain

2.3 Isolated solar gain

2.4 Heat storage

2.5 Insulation and glazing

2.5.1 Special glazing systems and window coverings

2.5.2 Equator-facing glass

2.5.3 Roof-angle glass / Skylights

2.5.4 Angle of incident radiation

2.5.5 Operable shading and insulation devices

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2.6 Passive cooling

2.6.1 Exterior colours reflecting - absorbing

2.6.2 Landscaping and gardens

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7. EFFICIENCY AND ECONOMICS OF PASSIVE SOLAR HEATING

8. CONSIDERATIONS

9. PASSIVE SOLAR SYSTEMS RULES OF THUMB

10. Zero Energy Building.

11. Adoption in MES.

12.References.
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1. INTRODUCTION
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1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Passive Solar Architecture.

Heavy energy demand for heating, cooling, ventilation and lighting of the buildings is
leading to depletion of precious environmental resources. These resources can be
conserved by designing and developing future buildings utilizing renewable energy sources.
Solar energy is one such resource.

There are two approaches for application of solar energy to buildings, namely active
systems and passive systems. In an active system, solar collecting panels, the storage unit
and the energy distribution system are installed with one or more working fluids. Energy is
distributed by the circulation of working fluids using electrically-operated pumps and fans.

In a passive system all the functions of collection, storage and distribution are carried out by
the building materials themselves. The term ‘passive’ refers to the solar-related architectural
concept which describes the methods to utilize solar heat that is available to buildings by
natural means. Generally, no electrical, mechanical or power electronic controls are used.
Passive solar applications, when included in initial building design, add little or nothing to
the cost of the building, yet has the effect of realizing a reduction in operational cost and
reduced equipment demand. It is reliable, mechanically simple, and is a viable asset to a
building.

In passive solar building architecture, windows, walls, and floors are made to collect,
store, and distribute solar energy in the form of heat in the winter and reject solar heat in the
summer. This is called passive solar design or climatic design because, unlike active solar
heating systems, it doesn't involve the use of mechanical and electrical devices.

The key to designing a passive solar building is to best take advantage of the local climate.
Elements to be considered include window placement and glazing type, thermal insulation,
thermal mass, and shading. Passive solar design techniques can be applied most easily to
new buildings, but existing buildings can be adapted or "retrofitted".
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India is divided into six climatic zones. For a given location, the knowledge of climate
can help evolve better design of solar passive buildings. Various climatic factors that
affect the solar passive design are: wind velocity, ambient temperature, relative
humidity and solar radiation. For a particular climate suitable combination of solar
passive techniques are required to be selected to obtain the highest possible comfort
at the lowest possible expenditure for material and energy.

1.2 As a science

The scientific basis for passive solar building design has been developed from a
combination of climatology, thermodynamics (particularly heat transfer), and human
thermal comfort (for buildings to be inhabited by humans and animals). Specific
attention is dissected to the site and location of the dwelling, the prevailing level of
rain, design and construction, solar orientation, placement of walls, and incorporation
of biomass. While these considerations may be directed to any building, achieving an
ideal solution requires careful integration of these principles. Modern refinements
through computer modelling and application of other technology can achieve
significant energy savings without necessarily sacrificing functionality or aesthetics.
Architecture thus meets science in Solar Passive Architecture.
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This occurs as a result of the inclination of the Earth's axis of rotation in relation to its
orbit. The sun path is unique for any given latitude.

In Northern Hemisphere non-tropical latitudes farther than 23.5 degrees from the
equator:

• The sun will reach its highest point toward the South (in the direction of the
equator)

• As winter solstice approaches, the angle at which the sun rises and sets
progressively moves further toward the South and the daylight hours will
become shorter.

• The opposite is noted in summer where the sun will rise and set further toward
the North and the daylight hours will lengthen.

The converse is observed in the Southern Hemisphere, but the sun rises to the east
and sets toward the west regardless of which hemisphere you are in.

In equatorial regions at less than 23.5 degrees, the position of the sun at solar noon
will oscillate from north to south and back again during the year.

In regions closer than 23.5 degrees from either north-or-south pole, during summer
the sun will trace a complete circle in the sky without setting whilst it will never appear
above the horizon six months later, during the height of winter.
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The 47-degree difference in the altitude of the sun at solar noon between winter and
summer forms the basis of passive solar design. This information is combined with local
climatic data (degree day) heating and cooling requirements to determine at what time of
the year solar gain will be beneficial for thermal comfort, and when it should be blocked
with shading. By strategic placement of items such as glazing and shading devices, the
percent of solar gain entering a building can be controlled throughout the year.

Although the sun is in the same relative position six weeks before, and six weeks after, the
solstice, due to "thermal lag" from the thermal mass of the Earth, the temperature and solar
gain requirements are quite different before and after the summer or winter solstice.
Movable shutters, shades, shade screens, or window quilts can accommodate day-to-day
and hour-to-hour solar gain and insulation requirements.

Careful arrangement of rooms completes the passive solar design. A common

recommendation for residential dwellings is to place living areas facing solar noon and
sleeping quarters on the opposite side. A heliodon is a traditional movable light device
used by architects and designers to help model sun path effects. In modern times, 3D
computer graphics can visually simulate this data, and calculate performance predictions.

1.3 Passive Solar thermodynamic principles

Personal thermal comfort is a function of personal health factors (medical, psychological,

sociological and situational),ambient air temperature, mean radiant temperature, air
movement (wind chill, turbulence) and relative humidity (affecting human evaporative
cooling). Heat transfer in buildings occurs through convection, conduction, and thermal
radiation through roof, walls, floor and windows.
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1.4.1 Convective heat transfer

Convective heat transfer can be beneficial or detrimental. Uncontrolled air infiltration from
poor weatherization / weatherstripping / draft-proofing can contribute up to 40% of heat loss
during winter, however strategic placement of operable windows or vents can enhance
convection, cross-ventilation, and summer cooling when the outside air is of a comfortable
temperature and relative humidity. Filtered energy recovery ventilation systems may be
useful to eliminate undesirable humidity, dust, pollen, and microorganisms in unfiltered
ventilation air.

Natural convection causing rising warm air and falling cooler air can result in an uneven
stratification of heat. This causes variations in temperature in the upper and lower
conditioned space, and can serve as a method of venting hot air, or be designed in as a
natural-convection air-flow loop for passive solar heat distribution and temperature
equalization. Natural human cooling by perspiration and evaporation may be facilitated
through natural or forced convective air movement by fans, but ceiling fans can disturb the
stratified insulating air layers at the top of a room, and accelerate heat transfer. In addition,
high relative humidity inhibits evaporative cooling by humans.

1.4.2 Radioactive heat transfer

The main source of heat transfer is radiant energy, and the primary source is the sun. Solar
radiation occurs predominantly through the roof and windows (as also through walls).
Thermal radiation moves from a warmer surface to a cooler one. Roofs receive the majority
of the solar radiation delivered to a building. A cool roof, or green roof in addition to a
radiant barrier can help prevent the top floor/ ceiling from becoming hotter than the peak
summer outdoor air temperature.

Windows are a ready and predictable site for thermal radiation. Energy from radiation can
move into a window in the day time, and out of the same window at night. Solar heat gain
through windows can be reduced by insulated glazing, shading, and orientation. Windows
are particularly difficult to insulate compared to roof and walls. When shading windows,
external shading is more effective at reducing heat gain than internal window coverings.

Western and eastern sun can provide warmth and lighting, but are vulnerable to
overheating in summer if not shaded. In contrast, the low midday sun readily admits light
and warmth during the winter, but can be easily shaded with appropriate length overhangs
or angled louvres during summer. The amount of radiant heat received is related to the
location latitude, altitude, cloud cover, and seasonal / hourly angle of incidence.

Another passive solar design principle is that thermal energy can be stored in certain
building materials and released again when heat gain eases to stabilize diurnal (day/night)
temperature variations, what is called ’ thermal lag ’.incidence
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1.5 Summary of considerations for Solar passive design

The following site specific considerations are significant-

• Latitude and sun path

• Seasonal variations in solar gain e.g. cooling or heating degree days, solar
insolation, humidity.
• Diurnal variations in temperature
• Micro-climate details related to breezes, humidity, vegetation and land contour
• Obstructions / Over-shadowing - to solar gain or local cross-winds
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2. KEY PASSIVE SOLAR CONCEPTS.

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2. KEY PASSIVE SOLAR CONCEPTS.

There are six primary passive solar energy configurations:

• Direct solar gain

• Indirect solar gain
• Isolated solar gain
• Heat storage
• Insulation and glazing
• Passive cooling

2.1 Direct solar gain

Direct gain attempts to control the amount of direct solar radiation reaching the living
space. This direct solar gain is a critical part of passive solar house design as it
imparts to a direct gain.

2.2 Indirect solar gain

Indirect gain attempts to control solar radiation reaching an area adjacent but not part
of the living space. Heat enters the building through windows and is captured and
stored in thermal mass (e.g. water tank, masonry wall) and slowly transmitted
indirectly to the building through conduction and convection. Efficiency can suffer from
slow response (thermal lag) and heat losses at night. Other issues include the cost of
insulated glazing and developing effective systems to redistribute heat throughout the
living area.
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Figure 1

2.3 Isolated solar gain

Isolated gain involves utilizing solar energy to passively move heat from or to the living
space using a fluid, such as water or air by natural convection or forced convection.
Heat gain can occur through a sunspace, solarium or solar closet. These areas may
also be employed usefully as a greenhouse or drying cabinet. Glass placement and
overhangs prevent solar gain during the summer. Earth cooling tubes or other passive
cooling techniques can keep a solarium cool in the summer.

Measures should be taken to reduce heat loss at night by providing window coverings
or movable window insulation.
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2.4 Heat Storage

The sun does not shine all the time. Heat storage, or thermal mass keeps the building
warm when the sun cannot heat it.

In buildings in sunny regions, the storage is designed for one or a few days. The usual
method is a custom-constructed thermal mass. These include a Trombe wall, a
ventilated concrete floor, a cistern, water wall or roof pond.

In subarctic areas, or areas that have long terms without solar gain (e.g. weeks of
freezing fog), the ground is used as thermal mass large enough for annualised heat
storage by running an isolated thermosiphon under the building.

2.5 Insulation and glazing

Thermal insulation or super insulation (type, placement and amount) reduces

unwanted leakage of heat. Some passive buildings are actually constructed of
insulation.
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2.5.1 Special glazing systems and window coverings

The effectiveness of direct solar gain systems is significantly enhanced by insulative

(e.g. double glazing), spectrally selective glazing (low-e), or movable window
insulation (window quilts, interior insulation shutters, shades, etc.).

Generally, Equator-facing windows should not employ glazing coatings that inhibit
solar gain.

2.5.2 Equator-facing glass

The requirement for vertical equator-facing glass is different from the other three sides
of a building. Reflective window coatings and multiple panes of glass can reduce
useful solar gain. However, direct-gain systems are more dependent on double or
triple glazing to reduce heat loss. Indirect-gain and isolated-gain configurations may
still be able to function effectively with only single-pane glazing. Nevertheless, the
optimal cost-effective solution is both location and system dependent.

2.5.3 Roof-angle glass / Skylights

Skylights admit sunlight either horizontally (a flat roof) or pitched at the same angle as
the roof slope. In most cases, horizontal skylights are used with reflectors to increase
the intensity of solar radiation depending on the angle of incidence. Large skylights
should be provided with shading devices to prevent heat loss at night and heat gain
during the summer months.

Equatorial-facing skylights provide the greatest potential for desirable winter passive
solar heat gain than any other location, but often allow unwanted heat gain in the
summer. Unwanted solar heat gain can be prevented by installing the skylight in the
shade of deciduous (leaf-shedding) trees or adding a movable window covering on the
inside or outside of the skylight.

Special glazing can help control solar heat gain while still allowing high levels of
visible light transmittance. Skylights are often the only method to bring passive solar
into the core of a commercial or industrial application or workspace.

2.5.4 Angle of incident radiation

The amount of solar gain transmitted through glass is also affected by the angle of the
incident solar radiation. Sunlight striking glass within 20 degrees of perpendicular is
mostly transmitted through the glass, whereas sunlight at more than 35 degrees from
perpendicular is mostly reflected.
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2.5.5 Operable shading and insulation devices

A design with too much equator-facing glass can result in excessive winter, spring, or
fall day heating, uncomfortably bright living spaces at certain times of the year, and
excessive heat transfer on winter nights and summer days.

Variable cloud cover influences solar gain potential. This means that besides latitude-
specific fixed window overhangs, other seasonal solar gain control solutions are
required.

Control mechanisms (such as manual-or-motorized interior insulated drapes, shutters,

exterior roll-down shade screens, or retractable awnings) can compensate for
differences caused by thermal lag or cloud cover, and help control daily / hourly solar
gain requirement variations.

2.6 Passive cooling

2.6.1 Exterior colours reflecting - absorbing

Materials and colours can be chosen to reflect or absorb solar thermal energy. The
thermal radiation properties of reflection or absorption of a colour can assist the
choices of ‘cool colours’.

2.6.2 Landscaping and gardens

Energy-efficient landscaping materials for careful passive solar choices include

hardscape building material and "softscape" plants. Trees, hedges, and trellis-pergola
features with vines; all can be used to create summer shading. For winter solar gain it
is desirable to use deciduous plants that give year round passive solar benefits. Non-
deciduous evergreen shrubs and trees can be windbreaks, at variable heights and
distances, to create protection and shelter from winter wind chill.

Xeriscaping with 'mature size appropriate' native species of drought tolerant plants,
drip irrigation, mulching, and organic gardening practices reduce or eliminate the need
for energy-and-water-intensive irrigation, gas powered garden equipment, and
reduces the landfill waste footprint.
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Advantage of prevailing breezes

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3. OTHER PASSIVE SOLAR PRINCIPLES

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3. OTHER PASSIVE SOLAR PRINCIPLES

3.1 Passive solar lighting

Passive solar lighting techniques enhance taking advantage of natural illumination for
interiors, and so reduce reliance on artificial lighting systems.

This can be achieved by careful building design, orientation, and placement of window
sections to collect light. Other creative solutions involve the use of reflecting surfaces
to admit daylight into the interior of a building. Window sections should be adequately
sized, and to avoid over-illumination can be shielded with a Brisesoleil, awnings, well
placed trees, glass coatings, and other passive and active devices.

Another major issue for many window systems is that they can be potentially
vulnerable sites of excessive thermal gain or heat loss. Whilst high mounted clerestory
window and traditional skylights can introduce daylight in poorly oriented sections of a
building, unwanted heat transfer may be hard to control. Thus, energy that is saved by
reducing artificial lighting is often more than offset by the energy required for operating
HVAC systems to maintain thermal comfort.

Besides window coverings, various methods can be employed to address this such as
insulated glazing, novel materials such as aerogel semi-transparent insulation, optical
fiber embedded in walls or roof and hybrid solar lighting.

3.2 Interior reflecting

Reflecting elements, from active and passive day lighting collectors, such as light
shelves, lighter wall and floor colours, mirrored wall sections, interior walls with upper
glass panels, and clear or translucent glassed hinged doors and sliding glass doors
take the captured light and passively reflect it further inside. The light can be from
passive windows or skylights and solar light tubes or from active day lighting sources.
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3.3 Passive solar water heating

There are many ways to use solar thermal energy to heat water for domestic use.
Different active-and-passive solar hot water technologies have different location-
specific economic cost benefit analysis implications.

Fundamental passive solar hot water heating involves no pumps or anything electrical.
It is very cost effective in climates that do not have lengthy sub-freezing, or very-
cloudy, weather conditions. Other active solar water heating technologies, etc. may be
more appropriate for some locations.

It is possible to have active solar hot water, which is also capable of being "off grid"
and qualifies as sustainable. This is done by the use of a photovoltaic cell, which uses
energy from the sun to power the pumps.

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4. SOLAR PASSIVE HEATING TECHNIQUES

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4.SOLAR PASSIVE HEATING TECHNIQUES

In solar passive techniques the windows, walls, floors and roof of a building are used
as the heat collecting, storing , releasing and distributing system. These very same
elements are also a major element in passive cooling design but in a very different
manner.

The techniques for solar heating of energy efficient buildings are :-

4.1 Direct System Gain

Direct heat gain technique is generally used in cold climates. A direct gain passive
solar heating system is shown :-

Summer Sun
f
an g roo
Overh
Winter Sun
Summer Sun

Double Winter
glazed Sun rays
window

DIRECT HEAT GAIN SOLAR PASSIVE SYSTEM

• Double glazed windows are located facing South to receive maximum sunlight
during winter.
• An overhang above the windows or at the roof level is provided to give shade,
during summer when the elevation of the sun is high.
• Insulating curtains are provided to cover the windows to reduce heat loss
during night.
• Massive flooring and walls are used to increase the thermal mass to store heat
during day time; heat is released during the night to warm the interior.

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4.2 Indirect Gain System (Thermal Storage Wall)

In an indirect gain system, thermal mass is located between the sun and the
living space. The thermal mass absorbs the sunlight that strikes it and transfers
it to the living space. The indirect gain system uses 30%-40% of the sun’s
energy striking the glass adjoining the thermal mass. A few commonly used
indirect gain systems are discussed below.

4.2.1 Trombe Wall

In the Trombe wall passive system:

• The entire south-facing wall is double glazed by two sheets of glass or plastic
with an air-gap between the wall and the inner glazing. Hot air flows from
bottom to top through the air gap owing to natural convection.
• A large blackened thermal storage wall is constructed with the outer side facing
the sun. Sunlight after penetration through the glazing is absorbed by the wall
and the wall is thus heated.

Accordingly, the air between the glazing and the wall gets heated and flows into the
room through the top vent. This circulation process continues and the cool air from the
room enters into the gap through the bottom vent. In addition, the room is also heated
by radiation and convection from the inner surface of the wall facing the room. During
night both vents are closed and heat transfer takes place only by radiation.

During summer the vent A at the top of the south-facing wall is kept closed while the
vents B, C and D are opened. The hot air between the glazing and the wall then flows
out through the vent C and the air from room flows in to fill this space. Simultaneously,
the air is pulled into the room through the vent D which is located in the shaded cool
area. The construction of the building is such that the overhanging roof prevents direct
sun rays to heat the glazing during summer.
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Summer Sun

Winter Sun
C
Warm air
A
Damper D

Trombe Wall
South facing double
glass wall

Return cold air

B

TROMBE WALL PASSIVE SOLAR HEATING SYSTEM

Generally, thickness of storage wall is between 200 mm to 450 mm, the air gap
between the wall and glazing is 50-150 mm, and the total area of each row of vent is
about one percent of the storage wall area. The Trombe wall should be adequately
shaded for reducing summer gains.

4.2.2 Water Wall

Water walls are based on the same principle as that for Trombe walls, except that they
employ water as the thermal storage material. A water wall is a thermal storage wall
made up of drums of water stacked up behind glazing. It is usually painted black to
increase heat absorption. It is more effective in reducing temperature swings but the
time lag is less.

Heat transfer through water walls is much faster than that for Trombe walls. Therefore,
the distribution of heat needs to be controlled if it is not immediately required for heating
the building. Buildings that work during daytime, such as schools and offices, benefit
from the heat transfer in the water wall. Overheating during summer may be prevented
by using suitable shading devices.
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4.2.3 Roof-based air heating system

In this technique, incident solar radiation is trapped by the roof and is used for heating
interior spaces. In the northern hemisphere, the system usually consists of an inclined
south-facing glazing and a north-sloping insulated surface on the roof. Between the
roof and the insulation , an air pocket is formed , which is heated by solar radiation. A
moveable insulation can be used to reduce heat loss through glazed panes during
nights. There could be variations in detailing of roof air heating systems.

4.2.4 Sunspaces

A sunspace or solarium is the combination of direct and indirect gain systems. Solar
radiation heats up the sunspace directly, which, in turn, heats up the living space
(separated from the sunspace by a mass wall) by convection and conduction through
the mass wall. The basic requirements of buildings heated by sunspace are (1) a
glazed-south facing collector space attached yet separated from the building and (2)
living space separated from the sunspace by a thermal storage wall. Sunspaces may
be used as winter gardens adjacent to the building space.
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. Sunspaces
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4.2.5 Solar Chimney

Solar chimney is an air-heating solar collector attached to the south wall of the
building. As the air in the solar collector is heated, it expands rises and enters the
house. Cooler house air is drawn into the collector to take its place.

Solar chimneys avoid many of the problems of direct gain systems, such as glare and
heat loss000. But the disadvantage is that like direct gain, too large a system may
result in higher than normal temperature within the rooms. Careful construction is
required to ensure proper efficiency and durability.
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Examples of Solar Chimney

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5. ADVANCED PASSIVE COOLING

TECHNIQUES
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5. ADVANCED PASSIVE COOLING TECHNIQUES

Passive cooling systems rely on natural heat-sinks to remove heat from the building.
They derive cooling directly from evaporation, convection, and radiation without using
any intermediate electrical devices. All passive cooling strategies rely on daily
changes in temperature and relative humidity. The applicability of each system
depends on the climatic conditions. This is not new, as traditionally buildings were
designed to take advantage of daily temperature variations, convective breeze,
shading, evaporative cooling, and radiation cooling.

5.1 Ventilation

Outdoor breezes create air movement through the house interior by the ‘push-pull’
effect of positive air pressure on the windward side and negative pressure (suction) on
the leeward side. Good natural ventilation requires locating openings in opposite
pressure zones. Also, designers often choose to enhance natural ventilation using tall
spaces called stacks in buildings. With openings near the top of stacks, warm air can
escape whereas cooler air enters the building from openings near the ground.

5.2 Wind Tower

In a wind tower, the hot air enters the tower through the openings in the tower, gets
cooled, and thus becomes heavier and sinks down. The inlet and outlet of rooms
induce cool air movement. In the presence of wind,
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air is cooled more effectively and flows faster down the tower and into the living area.
After the whole day of air exchanges, the tower becomes warm in the evenings.
During the night, cooled ambient air comes in contact with the bottom of the tower
through the rooms. The tower walls absorb heat during day time and release it at
night, warming the cool night air in the tower. Warm air moves up , creating an upward
draft , and draws cool night air through the doors and windows into the building. The
system works effectively in hot and dry climates where diurnal variations are high.

A wind tower works well for individual units but not for multi-storeyed apartments. In
dense urban areas, the wind tower has to be long enough to be able to catch enough
air.

A wind tower system

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5.3 Courtyard effect

Due to incident solar radiation in a courtyard, the air gets warmer and rises. Cool air
from the ground level flows through the louvered openings of rooms surrounding a
courtyard, thus producing air flow.

At night, the warm roof surfaces get cooled by convection and radiation. If this heat
exchange reduces roof surface temperature to wet bulb temperature of air,
condensation of atmospheric moisture occurs on the roof and the gain due to
condensation limits further cooling.

If the roof surfaces are sloped towards the internal courtyard, the cooled air sinks into
the court and enters the living space through low-level openings. However, care
should be taken that the courtyard does not receive intense solar radiation, which
would lead to conduction and radiation heat gains into the building. Intensive solar
radiation in the courtyard also produces immense glare.

5.4 Earth air tunnels

Daily and annual temperature fluctuations decrease with the increase in depth below
the ground surface. At a depth of about 4m below ground, the temperature inside the
earth remains nearly constant round the year and is nearly equal to the annual
average temperature of the place. A tunnel in the form of a pipe or otherwise
embedded at a depth of about 4 m below the ground will acquire the same
temperature as the surrounding earth at its surface and, therefore, the ambient air
ventilated though this tunnel will get cooled in summer and warmed in winter and this
air can be
used for cooling in summer and heating in winter.
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. 5.5 Evaporative cooling

Evaporative cooling lowers indoor air temperature by evaporating water. It is effective
in hot and dry climate where the atmospheric humidity is low. In evaporating cooling,
the sensible heat of air is used to evaporate water, thereby cooling the air, which, in
turn, cools the living space of the building. Increase in contact between water and air
increases the rate of evaporation.

The presence of a water body such as a pond, lake and a sea near the building or a
fountain in a courtyard can provide a cooling effect. The most commonly used system
is a desert cooler, which comprises water, evaporative pads, a fan, and pump.

5.6 Passive downdraught cooling

Evaporative cooling has been used for many centuries in parts of the Middle East,
notably Iran and Turkey. In this system, wind catchers guide outside air over water-
filled pots, inducing evaporation and causing a significant drop in temperature before
the air enters the interior. Such wind catchers become primary elements of the
architectural form also. Passive downdraught evaporative cooling is particularly
effective in hot and dry climates.
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5.7 Earth Berming.

Since the ground is nearly always cooler than the air, in the month when cooling is
required, the more a house is in contact with the ground, the cooler it will be.

5.8 Roof Ponds

Roof ponds can be used both for heating during the winter months and for cooling
during the summer months. The roof ponds of contained water are the heating (and
cooling) unit. The movable insulation above the ponds is the weather protection ,
winter time heating is comprised of daytime opening the insulating roof layer to allow
solar radiation to heat the water bed; water bed warming heats the supporting
structure which is also the ceiling for spaces below; heated support structure radiates
heat to the space. At night the insulated roof panels close to contain heat gathered by
the ponds to continue heating the spaces below. Cooling strategies are the opposite
operation.
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6. LEVELS OF APPLICATION
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6.LEVELS OF APPLICATION

6.1Pragmatic

Many detached suburban buildings can achieve reductions in heating expense without
obvious changes to their appearance, comfort or usability. This is done using good
siting and window positioning, small amounts of thermal mass, with good-but-
conventional insulation, weatherization, and an occasional supplementary heat
source, such as a central radiator connected to a (solar) water heater. Sunrays may
fall on a wall during the daytime and raise the temperature of its thermal mass. This
will then radiate heat into the building in the evening. This can be a problem in the
summer, especially on western walls in areas with high degree day cooling
requirements. External shading, or a radiant barrier plus air gap, may be used to
reduce undesirable summer solar gain.

6.2Annualised

An extension of the "passive solar" approach to seasonal solar capture and storage of
heat and cooling. These designs attempt to capture warm-season solar heat, and
convey it to a seasonal thermal store for use months later during the cold season
("annualised passive solar.") Increased storage is achieved by employing large
amounts of thermal mass or earth coupling. Anecdotal reports suggest they can be
effective but no formal study has been conducted to demonstrate their superiority. The
approach also can move cooling into the warm season.

6.3 Minimum machinery

A "purely passive" solar-heated house would have no mechanical furnace unit, relying
instead on energy captured from sunshine, only supplemented by "incidental" heat
energy given off by lights, computers, and other task-specific appliances (such as
those for cooking, entertainment, etc.), showering, people and pets. The use of natural
convection air currents (rather than mechanical devices such as fans) to circulate air
is related, though not strictly solar design.

Passive solar building design sometimes uses limited electrical and mechanical
controls to operate dampers, insulating shutters, shades, awnings, or reflectors. Some
systems enlist small fans or solar-heated chimneys to improve convective air-flow.
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7. EFFICIENCY AND ECONOMICS OF PASSIVE

SOLAR HEATING
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7. EFFICIENCY AND ECONOMICS OF PASSIVE SOLAR HEATING

Technically, Passive Solar Heating (PSH) is highly efficient. Direct-gain systems can
utilize (i.e. convert into "useful" heat) 65-70% of the energy of solar radiation that
strikes the aperture or collector. To put this in perspective relative to another energy
conversion process, the photosynthetic efficiency theoretical limit is around 11%.

Passive solar fraction (PSF) is the percentage of the required heat load met by PSH
and hence represents potential reduction in heating costs. Within the field of
sustainability, PSF even of the order of 15% is considered substantial.

This can be vary from 5% to 75% depending on the degree of optimization of the PSH
system.
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8. CONSIDERATIONS
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8.CONSIDERATIONS

Passive design is practiced throughout the world and has been shown to produce
buildings with low energy costs, reduced maintenance, and superior comfort. Most of
the literature pertaining to passive solar technology addresses heating concerns. This
information is useful and relevant in our area; however, cooling issues, which are
equally important in Austin, are less well documented. Key aspects of passive design
include appropriate solar orientation, the use of thermal mass, and appropriate
ventilation and window placement.

As a design approach, passive solar design can take many forms. It can be integrated
to greater or lesser degrees in a building. Key considerations regarding passive
design are determined by the characteristics of the building site. The most effective
designs are based on specific understanding of a building site’s wind patterns, terrain,
vegetation, solar exposure and other factors often requiring professional architectural
services. However, a basic understanding of these issues can have a significant effect
on the energy performance of a building.
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9. PASSIVE SOLAR SYSTEMS - RULES OF THUMB

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9. PASSIVE SOLAR SYSTEMS RULES OF THUMB

• The building should be elongated on an east-west axis.

• The building’s south face should receive sunlight between the hours of 9:00
A.M. and 3:00 P.M. (sun time) during the heating season.
• Interior spaces requiring the most light and heating and cooling should be along
the south face of the building. Less used spaces should be located on the
north.
• An open floor plan optimizes passive system operation.
• Use shading to prevent summer sun entering the interior.

10.Zero Energy Building.

Passive solar building design is often a foundational element of a cost-effective zero

energy building. Although a ZEB uses multiple passive solar building design concepts,
a ZEB is usually not purely passive, having active mechanical renewable energy
generation systems such as: wind turbine, photovoltaic’s, micro hydro, geothermal,
and other emerging alternative energy sources.

11.Adoption in MES

In MES there is a need to integrate different technologies i.e. energy conservation (by
providing insulation), use of passive solar techniques and active solar components
and develop a building as a whole. To design these buildings a multi-disciplinary
design team is required where architects & engineers work together in tandem.

References -

(i) www.worldgbc.org

(ii) www.wbdg.org

(iii) www.teriin.org

(iv) www.grihaindia.org

(v) www.igbc.in