Solar design

watkins

I have a vague feeling that I've posted this before. Whatever!

http://www.builditsolar.com/References/SunChartRS.htm

Regards,
Bob

Mike Lucey

Don't remember seeing it, thanks.

Mike

Mike Lucey

pbacot,

I could not agree with you more!

Mike

watkins

Dear Mike,

It would be nice to see more thought given to solar design. Given all the issues associated with Global Warming, you would think that all new buildings would have a solar heating/solar power generating element. I cannot think of one model displayed in the Gallery that has included solar power/heat generation in the design. Perhaps there are one or two that I have overlooked, but in general it seems to be the last thing on an architects mind.

I came across this the other day http://www.csposi.org/archimedes/images/Archimedes1.jpg

If you back pedal a bit you can see that it is part of The Concentrated Solar Power Open Source Initiative (CSPOSI).

Regards,
Bob

Wo3Dan

Additional information about the Archimedes project:
http://www.csposi.org/archimedes/archimedes.html

Wo3Dan

bellwells

Thanks for the link, Bob. I'm working on a house right now where this info might come in real handy. Or at the very least, it will confirm data we created through SU shadows.

pbacot

Yep you did, Thanks, though. A lot there. I think SU needs an online repository for such sustainable links, models, and methodology.

pbacot

Passive solar was bigger it seems, in the 70's. Most designs make for an unusual house type and living styles, but some common sense will help any design. Problems include control of glare and overheating, and providing clear surfaces for absorption (if you are trying to have direct solar gain through windows). I recently saw a trombe wall in a new upscale house. Pretty unusual.

So on my second comment above, the obstacle is: are you going to sell a client who already just wants a conventional house with a good floor plan. I think it's a gradual process of acceptance. That's why we have green building tours, to show some great houses that have various features, if not extensive direct passive solar.