1. Passive Solar Heating
David Konopka

2. What is passive solar heating?
Strategic home design for heat regulation
Not mechanical or electric
Placement
Insulation/materials
Channeling solar energy with mirrors and lenses
Widely applicable
Reduces pollution and energy costs
Energy produced near consumer
Useful in developing nations

3. History Essential before electric heating Ancient Greece and China
Ancient Greek ‘sauna’
Modern
Solar cooker
Solar furnace
Greenhouse

4. Home Design Insulation- thermal mass Windows and glaze
Sunroom/Solarium
Vents/convection/Solar Chimney
Heat-reflective ‘Cool Roof’
Shade (ex. trees)
Home orientation
Location-based
Only effective if professionally done

5. Solar Cooker Focuses sunlight into a small area OR
Absorbs sunlight to heat up
Cooks food
Boils (sterilizes) water
Improved health
Reduces pollution and deforestation
Free operation when sunny

6. Solar Forge Reflects/concentrates heat
Good for small processes in sunny areas
First ‘modern’ solar forge in France 1949 (sunny 300 days a year)
May require input of energy to align mirrors

7. Advantages and Disadvantages
Pros
Saves money (usually free once implemented)
No fuel input
Reduces deforestation and CO2 emissions
Compliments other heat sources
Improves health
Good for heating and cooling
Useful in developing nations
Cons
Reliant on weather
No electric output
Often slower than conventional methods (solar forge)
Usually not sufficient to heat a home
Inefficient unless professionally done
Not useful for transportation

8. Works Cited