Passive solar building design

<p>In passive solar building design, windows, walls, and floors are made to collect, store, reflect, and distribute <a href="/facts/Solar_energy/YBSajyN4">solar energy</a>, in the form of heat in the winter and reject solar heat in the summer. This is called passive solar design because, unlike active <a href="/facts/Solar_heating/sR9KzYbL">solar heating</a> systems, it does not involve the use of mechanical and electrical devices. 
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The key to designing a passive solar building is to best take advantage of the local <a href="/facts/Climate/f57XrNFU">climate</a> performing an accurate <a href="/facts/Site_analysis/deKMbnpf">site analysis</a>. Elements to be considered include window placement and size, and <a href="/facts/Glazing_(window)/xTLHcBxx">glazing</a> type, <a href="/facts/Thermal_insulation/j7tVT4uv">thermal insulation</a>, <a href="/facts/Thermal_mass/r63KHQ7y">thermal mass</a>, and shading. Passive solar design techniques can be applied most easily to new buildings, but existing buildings can be adapted or "retrofitted".</p>

Passive solar building design open-in-new

Passive solar building design