1. Passive Solar Homes developed by AAAS Science NetLinks Designing a Building Using Passive Solar Energy

2. This is a passive solar house
This is a passive solar house. Notice that it has a lot of glass on the front of the house, and an overhanging roof that will shade the windows in the summer.

3. This is a traditional home design that does not use passive solar energy. There are windows in the front of the house, but they are limited in size.

4. The home you see here uses passive solar energy. It has lots of glass
The home you see here uses passive solar energy. It has lots of glass. Notice that the tall trees are on the sides and back of the house. That allows more sunlight to get to those windows.

5. This house is not a solar house
This house is not a solar house. The large porches would be nice for sitting and enjoying a good book, but sunlight would not be able to penetrate those windows.

6. These row homes, typical in many cities, are not designed to take advantage of passive solar energy.

7. Passive solar designs can be found in city buildings
Passive solar designs can be found in city buildings. This passive solar row house uses 95 percent less energy for heating and cooling than a traditional home. It is heavily insulated and sealed, to prevent hot or cold air from getting in, and an intricate ventilation system regulates temperatures from there.

8. This quaint little house does not use any passive solar features.

9. Notice the large stucco walls in this passive solar house
Notice the large stucco walls in this passive solar house. They serve as a solar mass to soak up heat during the day and release it at night.

10. This house is also a passive solar design
This house is also a passive solar design. It has a lot of glass for heating and natural light, and stone floors to act as a solar mass.

11. The brick in this house is another example of a solar mass
The brick in this house is another example of a solar mass. Its dark color and high heat capacity make it a great choice.

12. Thanks to the following websites for use of their pictures:
1 St. Felix Street. By Beyond My Ken (Own work) [GFDL ( or CC BY-SA ( via Wikimedia Commons.
2 Karuna House. By Passive House Institute & Alliance (Own work) [CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 ( via Flickr .
3 Mr. & Mrs. Smith. By Tony Hoffarth (Own work) [CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 ( via Flickr.
4 Home on the Hill. By Distant Hill Gardens (Own work) [CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 ( via Flickr.
5 Côte-Des-Érables. By June Dennie (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 ( via Wikimedia Commons.
6 St. Felix Street. By Beyond My Ken (Own work) [GFDL ( or CC BY-SA ( via Wikimedia Commons.
7 Thomas Paino House. By Inhabitat (Own work) [CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 ( via Flickr.
8 Zellers-Langel House. By Wdzinc (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 ( via Wikimedia Commons.
9 Passive Solar Tire House 2. By Michael Shealy (Own work) [CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 ( via Flickr.
10 Black Forest Passive Solar Tire House. By Michael Shealy (Own work) [CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 ( via Flickr.
11 Masonry Interior: Clipart.com.