SOLAR HOME DESIGN EXAMPLE

Subject: Passive and Active Solar House with Large Thermal Mass for Heat Storage and Cooling Providing Year Round Comfort. 

The mass primary function is to store energy starting in August till early winter storing enough energy to maintain an approximate target temperature of 68 degrees through the winter with the occasional intermittent passive winter sun to provide re-charge. Sunda Solar Technology heat-pipe collectors provide domestic hot water and additional mass recharge adding to the mass passive heat gain during sunny winter days. By spring time, the mass has depleted most of its energy and cooled sufficiently to keep the house cool during the summer months with cupola venting if necessary. This house represents a milestone in Solar Design utilizing a “Systems Approach” where a structure can now achieve net zero energy in contrast to the traditional design.

Construction started in July 2000 and completed 14 months later as a purely passive structure.  The passive performance was confirmed for a two year period in order to obtain confirming model data.   The active portion was then completed to include a Sunda Seido 1-16 HWC for domestic hot water with excess heat stored in the solarium thermal mass which can be used for supplemental radiant floor heating. Seasonal heat storage is possible with a unique 7500 cubic feet of seasonal heat thermal mass storage below the solarium floor.  All the circulator pumps are powered directly from a small PV panel.