ADEKOLA HAYATULLAH OLASUBOMI

21EV01007
400 LEVEL
ARC. AKINBANDE
BUILDING CLIMATOLOGY
ARC 4161

Passive solar design

Passive solar design refers to the use of building design and layout to maximize the use
of natural sunlight and heat from the sun, while minimizing the need for mechanical
heating and cooling systems. This approach involves carefully orienting and designing
buildings to capture and retain solar energy, reducing the demand for non-renewable
energy sources and minimizing the environmental impact of the building.
Some common passive solar design techniques include:
1. Direct gain: This involves using large south-facing windows to capture sunlight and
heat during the winter.
2. Indirect gain: This involves using thermal mass materials to absorb and release heat,
rather than relying on direct sunlight.
3. Isolated gain: This involves using a separate, insulated space to capture and store
solar energy, which can then be transferred to the main building.
4. Passive solar water heating: This involves using solar energy to heat water, which can
then be used for domestic hot water or space heating.
5. Earth sheltering: This involves building into a hillside or using earth berms to provide
insulation and reduce heat loss.

The key principles of passive solar design include:

1. Orientation: The building's orientation is critical in passive solar design. The ideal
orientation is between 15-20 degrees east or west of true south, which allows the
building to receive maximum sunlight during the winter months.
2. Insulation: Proper insulation is essential to minimize heat loss during the winter and
heat gain during the summer. Insulation materials such as fiberglass, cellulose, or foam
board are used to insulate the building's walls, floor, and ceiling.
3. Windows: Windows are a crucial element in passive solar design. They allow sunlight
to enter the building during the winter and provide natural lighting. The size, type, and
orientation of windows are carefully considered to maximize solar gain during the
winter and minimize heat loss during the summer.
4. Thermal Mass: Thermal mass materials such as concrete, brick, or stone are used to
absorb and release heat. These materials are often used in walls, floors, and ceilings to
regulate the building's temperature.
5. Shading: Shading devices such as overhangs, awnings, and solar screens are used to
block direct sunlight during the summer, reducing heat gain and preventing overheating.
6. Natural Ventilation: Natural ventilation is an essential element of passive solar design.
It involves using operable windows, clerestory windows, and solar chimneys to provide
cooling and ventilation.
7. Landscaping: Landscaping is used to enhance the building's microclimate. Trees,
gardens, and water features can provide shading, cooling, and insulation, reducing the
need for mechanical heating and cooling systems.
8. Building Form: The building's form and shape can also contribute to passive solar
design. A compact building shape with a small surface-to-volume ratio can help reduce
heat loss and gain.
9. Glazing: Glazing materials such as glass, plastic, or fiberglass are used to cover
windows and other openings. The type and orientation of glazing can affect the amount
of solar radiation that enters the building.
10. Climate Considerations: Climate considerations such as temperature, humidity, and
wind patterns are taken into account when designing a passive solar building. The
building's design is tailored to the local climate to maximize its performance.
These elements work together to create a building that is comfortable, energy-efficient,
and sustainable. By carefully designing and combining these elements, architects and
builders can create buildings that minimize the need for mechanical heating and
cooling systems, reducing energy consumption and environmental impact.
Elements of Passive Solar Design
Passive solar design is an architectural approach that utilizes the sun's energy for
heating and cooling, minimizing the reliance on mechanical systems. It involves careful
consideration of several key elements:
1. Building Orientation
A. South-facing orientation: In the Northern Hemisphere, buildings are typically oriented
to face south to maximize solar gain during winter months.
B. Shading devices: Overhangs, deciduous trees, or awnings can shade windows during
summer months to prevent overheating.

2. Thermal Mass
A. Materials that store heat: Materials like concrete, brick, and stone absorb and store
heat during the day and release it slowly at night, providing a more stable temperature.
B. Proper placement: Thermal mass should be strategically placed to absorb heat from
the sun and distribute it evenly throughout the building.
3. Insulation
A. Efficient insulation: Proper insulation helps reduce heat loss in winter and heat gain
in summer, improving energy efficiency.
B. Airtight construction: Sealing air leaks prevents unwanted air infiltration, further
reducing energy loss.

4. Window Placement and Size

A. Strategic window placement: Windows should be strategically placed to maximize
solar gain in winter and minimize solar heat gain in summer.
B. Glazing type: High-performance glazing can improve energy efficiency by reducing
heat loss and solar heat gain.
5. Shading Devices
A. Control solar gain: Shading devices like overhangs, deciduous trees, and awnings can
block direct sunlight during summer months, preventing overheating.
B. Adjustable shading: Some shading devices can be adjusted to control solar gain
throughout the year.
6. Natural Ventilation
A. Cross-ventilation: Proper ventilation can help cool the building during hot weather by
allowing cool air to circulate through the building.
B. Stack effect: The stack effect can be utilized to create natural ventilation by taking
advantage of the temperature difference between the top and bottom of the building.
By carefully considering these elements, passive solar design can create comfortable
and energy-efficient buildings that minimize reliance on mechanical heating and cooling
systems.
Here's how these elements work together:
- During the winter, the building's orientation and windows allow sunlight to enter and
warm the thermal mass materials.
- The thermal mass materials absorb and store the heat, releasing it at night to keep the
building warm.
- The insulation and building form help to minimize heat loss.
- During the summer, the shading devices block direct sunlight, reducing heat gain.
- The natural ventilation system provides cooling and ventilation, reducing the need for
air conditioning.
- The landscaping and climate considerations help to enhance the building's
microclimate, reducing the need for mechanical heating and cooling systems.
By combining these elements, passive solar design can create buildings that are not only
energy-efficient but also comfortable, healthy, and sustainable.
Difference between passive solar heating design and passive solar cooling design.
Passive solar heating design and passive solar cooling design are two different approaches to
designing buildings that use natural sunlight and heat to regulate the indoor temperature. The
main difference between the two is the way they utilize the sun's energy to achieve a
comfortable indoor temperature.
Passive Solar Heating Design:
Passive solar heating design is used to warm buildings during the winter months. The goal is to
capture and retain the sun's heat during the day and release it at night to maintain a warm
indoor temperature. The key elements of passive solar heating design include:
1. Large south-facing windows to capture sunlight and heat
2. Thermal mass materials (such as concrete or brick) to absorb and store heat
3. Insulation to minimize heat loss
4. Shading devices (such as overhangs or awnings) to prevent overheating during the summer
5. Orientation of the building to maximize solar gain during the winter
Passive Solar Cooling Design:
Passive solar cooling design is used to cool buildings during the summer months. The goal is to
reduce the amount of heat that enters the building and to use natural ventilation and shading to
keep the indoor temperature cool. The key elements of passive solar cooling design include:
1. Shading devices (such as overhangs, awnings, or solar screens) to block direct sunlight
2. Natural ventilation (such as operable windows, clerestory windows, or solar chimneys) to
provide cooling and ventilation
3. Light-colored exterior surfaces to reflect sunlight and heat
4. Insulation to minimize heat gain
5. Orientation of the building to minimize solar gain during the summer
Key differences:
1. Orientation: Passive solar heating design typically involves orienting the building to face
south (within 15-20 degrees east or west of true south), while passive solar cooling design
involves orienting the building to face north (within 15-20 degrees east or west of true north) or
using shading devices to block direct sunlight.
2. Window size and placement: Passive solar heating design typically involves larger south-
facing windows to capture sunlight and heat, while passive solar cooling design involves
smaller windows or using shading devices to reduce heat gain.
3. Thermal mass: Passive solar heating design often uses thermal mass materials to absorb
and store heat, while passive solar cooling design may use lighter-colored materials to reflect
sunlight and heat.
4. Shading devices: Passive solar heating design uses shading devices to prevent overheating
during the summer, while passive solar cooling design uses shading devices to block direct
sunlight and reduce heat gain.
5. Natural ventilation: Passive solar cooling design often relies on natural ventilation to provide
cooling and ventilation, while passive solar heating design may use natural ventilation to reduce
heat loss.
In summary, passive solar heating design is used to warm buildings during the winter, while
passive solar cooling design is used to cool buildings during the summer. The key elements of
each design approach are tailored to achieve a comfortable indoor temperature using natural
sunlight and heat.