SOLAR DESIGN

INTRODUCTION: The intention of this workshop is to give an overview of the basic principles required to maximize the solar potential in your new or existing home.

FORMAT: The workshop is a lecture and slide course showing examples of the principles outlined. Sunday will include a field trip. The basic format allows for specific student questions as the material is presented.

SCHEDULE:

Saturday

9:00 a.m. Saturday Morning:

We will meet at 9:00 am and get acquainted. At 9:30 am there will be a lecture outlining the basic Passive solar concerns as follows:

• Site and Related Issues
• Orienting buildings, Windows and Collectors
• Landscaping Considerations to Control Solar Gain and Heat Loss
• Architectural Organization of Program, Site and Solar Principles
• R-Value and Related Heat loss Issues

We will answer questions and then move on to a presentation of more specific solar methods and techniques, general heat loss issues and other passive solar specifics including:

• Solar Angles, Shading, and Orientation Issues (for passive and active systems)
• Finding Solar South
• Weather and Degree Days
• Basics of Heat flow and Heat loss
• Mass and Glass issues
• A Quick Overview of Location Specific Tables and Graphic Solar Aids

12 Noon Saturday: We will break for lunch and informal discussion.

1 p.m. Saturday Afternoon:

We will meet at 1:00 a.m. for a slide show of passive solar projects. They will be discussed as to successes, failures and how the basic solar principles presented in the previous session guided the design and fabrication of each project.

The session will finish with questions about the slides, and any specific questions that students care to raise. We will adjourn at about 5:00 p.m.

Sunday

8:30 a.m. Sunday Morning:

We will meet at 8:30 am and drive to Hilton's off-grid house in Middlesex. We will go over the general theory of operation for photovoltaic (PV) applications. We will discuss various scenarios for exploring your options and ways to analyze your system needs.

12 Noon Sunday Lunch: We will have lunch at Hilton's.

1:00 p.m. Sunday Afternoon:

We will discuss solar domestic hot water (DWH) systems. John will use Hilton's house as an example for discussing the passive solar principles covered on Saturday.