Optimizing Building Envelope Dimensions for Passive Solar Houses in the Qinghai-Tibetan Region: Window to Wall Ratio and Depth of Sunspace

Abstract

It has been a focus to reduce the energy consumption and improve the space heating performance of high-altitude buildings in winter seasons. In view of the abundant solar energy resources of the high-altitude region, the establishment of passive solar houses should be an effective strategy to deal with the problem of thermal comfort. Both window to wall ratio (WWR) and sunspace depth are of vital importance to determine the thermal comfort level of passive solar houses, while there are limited studies on analyzing their impacts on passive solar houses in high-altitude regions. Therefore, this study is designed to examine how WWR and sunspace depth affect space heating of passive solar houses in the Qinghai-Tibetan region. To be specific, the hourly radiation temperature variations and percentages of dissatisfaction of the residential building with different sunspace depth/WWR (including 0.9m/33%, 0.9m/45%, 0.9m/60%, 1.2m/33% and 1.5m/33%) were quantitatively examined. Results indicated that under the condition of 0.9m/45%, the overall average radiation temperature of the building was approximately 16°C during the entire heating season, which could better satisfy the heating requirements. Meanwhile, the average temperature was higher, and the thermal comfort level was better under the ratio of 45% or the depth of 1.5 m, when only an individual factor in either ratio or depth was considered. These findings can provide references for the determination of dimensions of passive solar houses in high-altitude regions.