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Passive Solar Heating Project Analysis

Velimir Lackovic, MScEE


Course Outline

Passive solar heating (PSH) is the heating of buildings with the solar gains available through windows. The annual heating demand can be significantly reduced by selecting high-performance windows (low heat loss and high solar transmission) and by orienting the bulk of the window area to face towards the equator (south-facing in the Northern Hemisphere). Studies have shown that houses designed using passive solar principles can require less than half the heating energy of the same house using conventional windows with random window orientation.

Introduced calculation models calculate changes in heating demand and solar gains that result from the adoption of energy efficient window technologies. Changes in heating demand between the base case and the new proposed design are calculated by evaluating the variation in heat loss coefficient related to the proposed changes in the size and U-value of the windows.

This course is suitable for engineers with a desire to understand the fundamentals of setting passive solar heating project. Presented details cover issues related to technical and financial implementation and exploitation of passive solar heating systems. Upon successful completion engineers will be able to address passive solar heating terms, methods of operation and how to set up detailed technical and financial feasibility model.

This course includes a multiple choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of the course materials.

Learning Objective

At the conclusion of this course, the student will become familiar with:

Intended Audience

This course is intended for electrical and mechanical engineers.

Benefit to Attendees

Attendee of this course will understand basic passive solar heating principles, calculation methods and understand how to design and size passive solar heating system for particular application.

Course Introduction

Passive solar heating (PSH) is the heating of buildings with the solar gains available through windows. The annual heating demand can be significantly reduced by selecting high-performance windows (low heat loss and high solar transmission) and by orienting the bulk of the window area to face towards the equator (south-facing in the Northern Hemisphere). Studies have shown that houses designed using passive solar principles can require less than half the heating energy of the same house using conventional windows with random window orientation. Passive solar designs can also provide a better use of natural daylight for lighting purposes, not to mention a pleasant living environment, and the proper selection of shading devices can result in reduced cooling loads.

Course Content

In this lesson, you are required to download and study the following course content in PDF format:

Passive Solar Heating Project Analysis

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Course Summary

Described mathematical model calculates changes in heating demand and solar gains that result from the adoption of energy efficient window technologies. Changes in heating demand between the base case and the new proposed design are calculated by evaluating the variation in heat loss coefficient related to the proposed changes in the size and U-value of the windows. Changes in solar gain are evaluated by calculating solar gains in both the base and the proposed design, and estimating what part of the solar gain is usable for heating purposes. The same methodology is applied to calculate the associated penalty in cooling demand during the summer months.

Quiz

Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.

Take a Quiz

DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.