PASSIVE SOLAR ENERGY

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PASSIVE SOLAR ENERGY
ME 100 TUTORIAL PRESENTATION

• By Aaron Zhou
• ID 20193983

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Intro to Passive Solar Energy

• Raw energy from the Sun
• The term passive signifies that there are no
  additional mechanical equipment required, other
  than the normal building elements
• All passive techniques use building elements such
  as walls, windows, floors and roofs, in addition
  to exterior building elements and landscaping, to
  control heat generated by solar radiation.
• If used carefully it could provide us with many
  benefits which would otherwise cost a lot more
• Solar energy is useful for heating, cooling,
  cooking, lighting, electricity, water pumping and
  purification
• Incorporating passive solar designs can slash
  bill by half!
• 3 common methods and additional strategies of
  utilizing this renewable resource

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Passive Solar Heating

• In cold climates, it is very important to obtain
  and stored the maximum amount of heat to sustain
  comfort
• Passive solar heating makes use of building
  orientation, windows, and building materials
• South-facing windows are designed to let the
  sun's heat in while insulating against the cold.
• Open floor plans allow more sun inside
• There are 3 main methods of passive solar heating

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Direct Gain

• System where heat collection, storage and
  distribution all occur within the same space,
  without any interference
• Use of south-facing windows, to receive maximum
  solar exposure during the winter months
• Solar heat passes straight into the room where it
  heats up a thermal mass
• Heat absorbed by thermal mass and continually
  distributes collected heat at night
• Effective thermal masses consist of dense, heavy
  materials that will retain heat whether of not in
  direct sunlight. Eg. usually an internal wall or
  floor made of concrete, stone or masonry,
  especially if painted a flat, dark color
  dark-colored cylinders, tanks or drums filled
  with water, or bins of rocks.

Picture taken from www.eere.energy.gov/RE/solar_pa
ssive.html
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Indirect Gain

• Uses the same materials as direct gain system but
  thermal mass is placed between Sun and space that
  is heated
• Use of flat plat collectors positioned below the
  mass and space to be heated
• Solar heat is transferred to the thermal mass
  where it is absorbed
• The heat air rises and enters room through vents
  at the bottom of the walls
• Convection brings the heat into room and cool air
  down to ducts at the bottom to be sent back to
  the thermal mass where it is heated and
  circulated
• During the hot summers, the process is reversed,
  so since the thermal mass is not in direct
  sunlight, it absorbs heat from inside the room
  and radiates it out
• Very effective as it usually takes around 6-8
  hours for the heat energy of the thermal to
  totally dissipate, so it can supply heat to the
  home throughout the night

Picture taken from www.eere.energy.gov/RE/solar_pa
ssive.html
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Isolated Gain

• System where the space that is passively heated
  by the Sun is isolated from the rest of the
  building space
• South-facing sunrooms are commonly fitted to a
  home to take advantage of the sun's heat and
  light.
• Using sunrooms to ventilate a house is also
  possible
• Lower vents from the sunroom to the interior
  rooms draw air through the living space to be
  expelled out the upper vents to the outside along
  the top of the sunroom.

Picture taken from www.sunenterprises.com/images/s
unroom_1217_large.jpg
Sunroom
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Passive Solar Cooling

• Passive cooling minimizes the effects of solar
  radiation through shading or generating natural
  air flows with convection ventilation
• Thermal chimney, which can be designed like a
  smoke chimney to vent hot air from the house out
  through the (metal) roof
• Sun heats up the space in the roof, air warms up
  and rises up the space, escapes through vents at
  the top
• At the same time, cool air from outside is pulled
  into the room from fresh air vents at the bottom
  of the wall
• Warm air inside is also pulled by vents into the
  roof space to be released

Picture taken from the.honoluluadvertiser.com/.
../Feb/27/ln20a.gif
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Day lighting
Picture taken from www.rupages.com/
Rock-n-Roll_Hall_Of_Fame.jpg
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

• Providing interior building with natural sunlight
• South and north-facing windows and clerestory
  windows are all possible options
• Daylight benefits include electrical savings,
  better health, and improved light quality
  (especially in commercial buildings)
• Research has showed that student grades and
  attendance in schools also improved

Hong Kong Exhibition and Convention Centre
Picture taken from ap-expo.com/HK20show/
Hongkong_Show.html
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Other Technologies

• Solar Cookers
• Sun can be focused to heat of water and food
• Used in undeveloped countries but modern designs
  are available to the general public
• Others
• Shadings and overhangs also reduce the hot summer
  sun, while still allowing winter sun
• The optimal window-to-wall area ratio is 25-35.

Picture taken from www.tucacas.info/
sunfirecooking/fatimajim.jpg
Picture taken from www.ekosbuild.com/
CaseStudies/Overhangs.jpg
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References

• Information
• http//www.eere.energy.gov/RE/solar_passive.html
• http//www.newenergy.org/sesci/publications/pamphl
  ets/passive.html
• http//www.canren.gc.ca/tech_appl/index.asp
• Pictures
• www.google.ca