CHOOSING A GOOD SITE Finding the right lot is the first and most crucial step for a good solar design. The ideal parcel should have early morning and mid-day sun and a good view in those directions. It is also very important to pick a location with lots of sunny days, because even a few clouds will rob the sun of most of it's energy.
REDISCOVERING ANCIENT TECHNOLOGY The dynamics of a passive solar design are extremely simple and have been used by many ancient civilizations. The cliff-dwelling Indians of the southwestern US chose south facing cliffs with cave like indentations as the sites for their homes. This provided warmth when the winter sun was low in the southern sky and shade in the hot summer months when the sun was directly overhead.
A modern passive solar design follows these same principles, but modern building technology can provide a structure that is much more comfortable than the ancient dwellings. Modern insulated glass and structural insulation can provide a very comfortable home which consumes at least 50% less energy than a standard house.
DESIGNING THE EXTERIOR WALLS The energy from the sun is strongest at midday, so the southern walls should have large areas of glass. Basking in the warm morning rays on a cool autumn or spring day is also very enjoyable, so an east facing dining area is highly recommended. Additional eastern glass is good in cooler climates, but is prone to cause overheating in the warm months. Large amounts of west facing glass will usually cause over heating, but a good design should incorporate at least one area to lounge on the cold winter days.
INTERIOR DESIGN Adding concrete mass will help to store the warmth, and a colored concrete or tile floor is the most efficent way to supply storage. This type of flooring is also easy to clean, long lasting, impervious to the strong rays of the sun and very good for plants because it is not ruined by water spills. The large areas of glass provide an environment that is excellent for plants, so the hard flooring is highly recommended for the areas of the home that receive the most solar energy.
Wood flooring and carpet will be damaged by water and the strong rays of the sun, so this type of flooring should only be used in the areas of the home without strong concentrations of mid-day sun. Natural plaster is another building media which provides good solar mass. It can be used as a form of sculpture, and is a stunning way to build a fireplace, wood stove enclosure or stairway.
CHOOSING A BACKUP SYSTEM The passive solar home will be very warm when the sun is shining, but an additional heating system will be required to attain modern comfort levels on cloudy days and cold nights. Radiant heat that is provided by a hot fluid flowing through the floor system is the most desireable, but also the most expensive. Forced air is cheaper and can be very efficient for moving the solar heated air around the structure. An efficient wood or gas stove will provide a cozy place to lounge on the cold evenings and can be a sufficient alternative to central heating for some homes.
It is a wonderful feeling to lounge in the natural warmth of the sun while helping slow global warming.
John Mattson - Award winning author and photographer, lifelong adventure traveler and master of 4 extreme sports.
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