Passive Solar Roof Design

In passive solar home design exterior roof overhangs provide a practical method for shading building elements such as windows doors and walls.

Passive solar roof design. Natural convection and ventilation. Light colored homes reflect the sun s light reducing the amount of heat retained in the walls and therefore lowering summer cooling loads. In addition the heat produced by the sun causes air movement that can be predictable in designed spaces. Homes heated by the sun s free heat.

Passive solar design takes advantage of this by designing a home s roof pitch and overhang to allow solar heat gain during the winter months and block it during the summer. These homes require much less fossil fuel energy to heat. There is a common notion that installing a solar system means your roof has to be loaded with photovoltaic modules a converter and connective circuitry. Passive solar houses are aptly named because there are no wires panels or batteries and nothing to break down.

Passive solar systems use carefully crafted reflective coatings and overhangs on exterior walls windows and roofs to provide warmth during the cooling season. It s just about design and it isn t a new concept. Active solar refers to any system of solar panels whether it be. This is called passive solar design because unlike active solar heating systems it does not involve the use of mechanical and electrical devices.

May 27 2020 explore russell crosby s board passive solar house design on pinterest. In passive solar building design windows walls and floors are made to collect store reflect and distribute solar energy in the form of heat in the winter and reject solar heat in the summer. Passive solar design takes advantage of a building s site climate and materials to minimize energy use. See more ideas about solar house passive solar house design.

Passive solar design begins with the simple idea that you can build a house that uses natural heating cooling ventilation and daylighting. Passive solar design refers to the use of the sun s energy for the heating and cooling of living spaces by exposure to the sun. When sunlight strikes a building the building materials can reflect transmit or absorb the solar radiation. How roof overhangs or other window overhangs work to control heat and solar gain overhangs are most effective for south facing elements in the northern hemisphere and at midday.