Abstract
Data from the International Energy Agency confirm that in a zero-energy perspective the integration of solar systems in buildings is essential. The development of passive solar strategies has suffered the lack of standard performance indicators and design guidelines. The aim of this paper is to provide a critical analysis of the main passive solar design strategies based on their classification, performance evaluation and selection methods, with a focus on integrability. Climate and latitude affect the amount of incident solar radiation and the heat losses, while integrability mainly depends on the building structure. For existing buildings, shading and direct systems represent the easiest and most effective passive strategies, while building orientation and shape are limited to new constructions: proper design can reduce building energy demand around 40%. Commercial buildings prefer direct use systems while massive ones with integrated heat storage are more suitable for family houses. A proper selection must consider the energy and economic balance of different building services involved: a multi-objective evaluation method represents the most valid tool to determine the overall performance of passive solar strategies.
Highlights
Last International Energy Agency data recommend that a relevant share of the world energy consumption is related to building industry, a greater energy saving must be achieved in the residential sector in near future
A wide range of parameters affects the selection of the proper passive solar design solution, with climate and building related performance indicators
A categorization focused on the integrability in building better highlights the proper range of applicability for each solution: while shading and direct systems are completely suitable for existing buildings, shape and orientation are limited to new ones, whereas other solution integration depend on the kind of structure
Summary
Last International Energy Agency data recommend that a relevant share of the world energy consumption is related to building industry, a greater energy saving must be achieved in the residential sector in near future. The main contribution comes from solar heating and PV solar, as active systems, but a rational and systemic application and integration of passive solar strategies in building design embed a potential, exploited only in few applications until today. Passive solar design strategies use the energy from solar radiation to reduce the heating and cooling loads, guarantying indoor thermal comfort with no use of mechanical equipment. Their performance depends on a wide variety of design parameters, from building orientation and shape to climate [2]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
