A Review of Applied Methods of Using Solar Energy in Iranian Buildings

Abstract

Solar energy is the radiant light and heat from the Sun that has been harnessed by human since ancient times. Also secondary solar resources such as wind and wave power, hydroelectric power and biomass account for most of the available renewable energy on Earth, which can be used by human. Architects since ancient times have used various methods to harnesse and employ the solar energy for lighting, cooling and heating and etc. Meanwhile, Iran's ancient architecture, as an adaptive one, which consists of various climatic reigns, is filled with abounding examples of using sun energy in buildings. But, unfortunately despite these ancient methods, our modern architects mostly tend to provide energy of buildings with fossil fuels. This increases energy costs of the building's and also pollutes the environment. In this article it is intended to consider the ancient ways of using solar energy in Iran, and then suggest new methods for applying in modern buildings. The results of consideration show that among Solar technologies, passive and active methods, Iran's ancient architects have used passive methods, for example in mass and space, orientation and settlement of building. The idea of passive methods can be used in new shapes in current buildings, for instance by using solar space, central yard and etc. The suggestive method in this paper is combining the passive methods with the active ones.