Alternative Energy Jayabalaji Sathiyamoorthi

INTERNATIONAL ENGINEERING CONGRESS

Alternative Energy Applications

Paper on

“PASSIVE SOLAR SYSTEM AS A SUSTAINABLE

SOURCE OF ALTERNATIVE ENERGY”

Author:

Mr. Jayabalaji Sathiyamoorthi

Master Student
University of Applied Science, Emden, Germany
jaybeesathya@gmail.com

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................................... 3
2. NEED FOR ALTERNATIVE ENERGY................................................................................................... 4
3. SOLAR ENERGY TECHNIQUES ............................................................................................................ 6
3.1. SOLAR ENERGY BASICS ......................................................................................................................... 6
3.2. UNITS OF SOLAR ENERGY .............................................................................................................. 7
3.3. SOLAR ENERGY FOR HEATING WATER ................................................................................................... 8
3.4. ACTIVE AND PASSIVE SOLAR SYSTEMS ..................................................................................... 9
3.5. ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES...................................................................................... 10
4. PASSIVE SOLAR SYSTEMS .................................................................................................................. 12
4.1. PASSIVE SOLAR BUILDINGS .................................................................................................................. 13
4.2. PASSIVE HEATING SYSTEM CHARACTERISTICS ..................................................................................... 13
5. DAYLIGHTING ........................................................................................................................................ 16
5.1. WHY DAYLIGHTING? ..................................................................................................................... 16
5.2. DAYLIGHTING VS HUMAN PERFORMANCE ............................................................................. 17
5.3. WAYS TO CALCULATE DAYLIGHTING ...................................................................................... 18
6. TRANSPIRED SOLAR COLLECTOR .................................................................................................. 19
6.1. WORKING PRINCIPLE .................................................................................................................... 19
6.2. SOLAR COLLECTOR SPECIFICATIONS ....................................................................................... 22
6.3. DESIGN HIGHLIGHTS ..................................................................................................................... 22
6.4. CASE STUDIES ................................................................................................................................. 24
6.5. ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS....................................................................................................... 25
7. ENERGY MINIMIZATION TECHNIQUES ......................................................................................... 26
8. FUTURE OF SOLAR ENERGY.............................................................................................................. 28
9. DISCUSSION ............................................................................................................................................. 29
10. CONCLUSION AND SUMMARY ...................................................................................................... 30
11. REFERENCES ...................................................................................................................................... 31

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Passive Solar System as a sustainable source of

Alternative Energy

1. Introduction

Nature has nurtured human race for centuries with its amazing resources as food, cloth and
shelter. As the humans evolve from Stone Age to the Modern Age, the needs are multiplied
and so the life style. This is evident from our day to day life, which is equipped with
sophistication in terms of the houses we live, the cars we drive, the industries we have, the
products we manufacture and the advancements in science and technology arena. The
consumption rate of the energy resources has multiplied several folds. This eventually led to
the rise in oil prices; reserves of oil, coal and natural gas are being depleted; and the
continued use of non-renewable fuels poses threats to the environment. So the topic of
exploring Alternative Energy gains enormous focus and attention. In-fact many world
leaders, business leaders and environmentalists have recently encouraged the development of
alternative energy resources.

Recent years the renewable energy resources like sun light, wind, rain, tides and geothermal
heat are the important arenas of the alternative energy. In 2006, about 18% of global final
energy consumption came from renewable energy sources as against 13% coming from
traditional biomass. In this paper, the idea of using passive solar system as a sustainable
source of alternative energy and the different methods of generating alternative energy using
passive solar system will be discussed.

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2. Need for Alternative Energy

The world’s consumption of non-renewable energy sources have raised to a maximum

threshold. As the business models are getting more and more globalised, making us to feel
world is just a small village. So the goods and services are available to anyone from
anywhere in the world, on an average these hi-tech goods and products travel twice the globe
before it reach us. These phenomenons have gradually depleting the non-renewable energy
source and migrate to renewable energy sources.

Renewable energy in simpler terms is the energy generated from natural resources—such as
sunlight, wind, rain, tides and geothermal heat. All these sources are renewable or naturally
replenished with a least damage to the environment.

The important question is will renewable energy sources will make an alternative energy
source? Let us find out by evaluating both of these resources. When comparing the processes
for producing energy, there remain several fundamental differences between renewable
energy and fossil fuels. The process of producing oil, coal, or natural gas fuel is a challenging
and demanding process that requires a great deal of complex equipment, physical and
chemical processes. On the other hand, renewable energy can be widely produced with basic
equipment and naturally basic processes. However, there needs some optimization techniques
that needs to be done with these renewable energy production to maintain and utilize the
generated energy.

The necessity of finding sustainable alternative energy source for the future generation has
come. Most of the nations have understood the need due to the climate change, increase in oil
prices etc., hence the investment on alternative energy have multiplied several fold. For
instance, Brazil has one of the largest renewable energy programs in the world, involving
production of ethanol fuel from sugar cane, and ethanol now provides 18 percent of the
country's automotive fuel.

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It is to be noted that most renewable energy projects and production is large-scale, renewable
technologies are also suited to small off-grid applications, sometimes in rural and remote
areas, where energy is often crucial in human development.

Alternative Energy has the advantages of being non-pollution, less cost (though there is an
initial investment) and independent of a politically controlled energy sources such as the
electric grid or oil. This self-sufficiency has important implications as the modern world
comes to understand the eruptive danger of energy dependence.

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3. Solar Energy Techniques

Solar energy techniques use the sunlight as the principle source of energy. Solar energy has
become very popular and grabbed public attention in recent years as it is understood that the
picture of fossil fuel consumption is limited. It is apparent that the present energy equation is
not balanced. Using up energy reserves is an untenable situation and the imbalance is
reflected in our diseased biosphere. To be in balance, man cannot rely on energy that is not
self-renewing. Alternate energy sources, aside from being self-renewing

Solar heating systems may be either active or passive. Active systems use fans and pumps to
move the heat about. Passive systems use no forms of energy other than sun power, they are
more appropriate for developing countries.

3.1. Solar Energy Basics

Solar energy is intense radiation energy produced by thermonuclear reaction in the sun. It
takes approximately eight minutes for a “packet” of light to reach earth’s surface. This energy
can be captured and converted into two major useful forms: Heat and Electricity
• The amount of energy captured depends on geographical location and amount of
“radiation source” available
• The amount of energy is greatest in afternoon compared to morning and evening
times
• No survival is possible without some sun light for all living organisms – reasons also
why the water is transparent for helping aquatic animals

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Courtesy: SunLine Transit Agency

3.2. UNITS OF SOLAR ENERGY

• KILO WATT HOUR PER SQUARE METER

Photo-Voltaic (PV) cells are used for generating electricity from solar radiation. It is
often represented using kilowatt-hour per square meter (KWh/m2) or Watt per square
meter (W/m2) – The energy collected by photo voltaic is generally in DC mode.
Using an INVERTER, it is converted to AC mode for domestic applications. A single
PV module can generate between 10 to 300 watts.

• BRITISH THERMAL UNIT

Solar energy used for water and space heating application is generally represented in
British thermal units per square feet (BTU/ft2) – Based on type of collector used, the
quantity of water (or space) to be heated varies – As a thumb rule 20 square feet (2
square meters) of solar panel is necessary for heating around 50 to 60 US gallons
(190 to 230 litres) of water. For every additional family member, add 8 to 10 square
feet (0.73 to 1 square meter) of solar panel. The tank size should be accordingly

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increased. For every square feet of panel area, consider 1.5 gallons (5.7 litres) to 2
gallons (7.7 litres)

3.3. Solar Energy for heating Water

• Two methods of heating water: Passive (no moving parts) and Active (utilizing
pumps).
• In both, a flat-plate collector is used to absorb the sun energy to heat the water.
• The water circulates throughout the closed system due to convection currents.
• Insulated tanks can be used for storing hot water throughout the day

HEATING WATER
• Efficiency of solar heating system is always less than 100% because:
• Percentage of heat transmitted depends on angle of incidence
• Number of glass sheets (single glass sheet transmits 90-95%), and
• Composition of the glass
• Solar water heating saves approximately 1000 megawatts of energy annually
equivalent to eliminating the emissions from two medium sized coal burning power
plants
• By using solar water heating over gas water heater, more than 30% energy
conservation can be achieved

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• Although the initial installation is a complex process, the heating system saves
“conventional energy” in long run

SOLAR-THERMAL ELECTRICITY: POWER TOWERS

• General idea is to collect the light from many reflectors spread over a large area at one
central point to achieve high temperature.
• Example is the 10-MW solar power plant in Barstow, California having 1900
heliostats, each measuring 400 square feet with a 295 feet central tower
• An energy storage system allows it to generate 7 MW of electric power
• Capital cost is greater than coal fired power plant, despite the no cost for fuel, ash
disposal, and stack emissions
• Capital costs are expected to decline as more and more power towers are built with
greater technological advances
• One way to reduce cost is to use the waste steam from the turbine for space heating or
other industrial processes.

3.4. ACTIVE AND PASSIVE SOLAR SYSTEMS

An active solar system is defined as one that relies to some extent on conventional energy to
operate. This implies that the added conventional energy is needed to induce the elements in
the system to perform in a way that is counter to their natural propensities, such as to make
hot air flow downward and cold air upward. Active systems are not appreciably different in
efficiency to passive ones and are almost always more complex, more expensive and more
subject to breakdown because of moving parts and power failure. The justification for active
systems of the past is that passive technology was not yet understood. And the main
importance of active systems at present is for retrofitting many of the existing structures that
may not be able to incorporate passive principles.

Direct Conversion into Electricity

• Photovoltaic cells are capable of directly converting sunlight into electricity.
• A simple wafer of silicon with wires attached to the layers. Current is produced based
on types of silicon (n and p-types) used for the layers. Each cell=0.5 volts.
• Battery needed as storage – Higher the power, higher will be the battery capacity

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• No moving parts mean they don’t wear out. But because they are exposed to the
weather, their lifespan is about 20 years.

3.5. ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES

• Efficiency is far lass than the 77% of solar spectrum with usable wavelengths.
• Efficiency drops as temperature increases (from 24% at 0°C to14% at 100°C.)
• With proper designing, the electricity generated from solar energy can light up entire
house
• The solar energy is noise free, pollution free, and maintenance free
• Does not reflect the true costs of burning coal and its emissions to the non-polluting
method of the latter.
• Underlying problem is weighing efficiency against cost.
• Crystalline silicon-more efficient but expensive to manufacture
• Amorphous silicon- Half as efficient but expensive to produce
• The cost of power generation will be three to four times conventional method with
present day technologies
• At present, solar heating system components are expensive

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• Argument that sun provides power only during the day is countered by the fact that
70% of energy demand is during daytime hours. At night, traditional methods can be
used to generate the electricity
• Goal is to decrease dependence on fossil fuels
• Currently, 75% of electrical power is generated by coal-burning and nuclear power
plants
• Solar energy reduces the effects of acid rain, carbon dioxide, and other impacts of
burning coal and counters risks associated with nuclear energy
• Pollution free, indefinitely sustainable
• The primary source – SUNLIGHT – is available, free, throughout life!

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4. Passive Solar Systems

A passive system is defined as one which operates entirely on the renewable energy available
in the immediate environment. Aside from the manufacture of the original equipment, which
in most cases will require at least some non-renewable energy, the passive systems are in
balance. They don’t use up resources. In most cases the systems can be constructed of
environmentally clean materials such as glass, adobe, rock, water and iron. The operation of
passive systems takes advantage of the natural characteristic of materials, such as the
convective flow of air and water, the absorbing capacity of dark colours and dense materials,
heat-sorting properties of dense materials and water, and the poor heat conductivity of
insulating materials. Understanding these properties allows the designer to arrange them in
such a fashion that they perform according to the heating and cooling requirements of the
house given the sun as a heat source and the night sky as a heat sink.

From the earliest development of solar technology it was understood that to heat a house
adequately one must perform these functions; collect the sun's heat, store it, and release it in a
useful way. This prompted the development of solar collectors, heat storage units and
radiators or hot air controls as separate units. Since the collectors were usually on the roof,
and the heat storage units in the house below, a fan or pump was required to motivate the
circulation of the heat transporting fluid. Thus these systems became unduly complex,
expensive, unsightly and dependent on the energy grid to operate.

A more sophisticated and far cheaper solution presented itself as the nature of heat and its
relationship to building materials was better understood. The three functions of collecting,
storing and using the sun's heat were integrated into and were indistinguishable from the very
structure of the house. Since such a system requires no further devices or power to operate, it
is termed as passive

Solar energy has been defined as a "Soft" technology as opposed to; say for instance, "hard"
nuclear technology. Passive solar heating is at the soft end of solar technology. Another way
of putting it is: passive solar technology is the type most directly coupled to the sun and is
least damaging to the environment, because it takes the principle of using renewable energy
to its logical extreme.
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4.1. Passive solar buildings

A passive solar building is one that derives a substantial fraction of its heat from the sun
using only natural processes to provide the necessary energy flows. Thermal conduction, free
convection, and radiation transport therefore replace the pumps, blowers, and controllers
associated with active solar heating systems. The elements of a passive solar heating system
tend to be closely integrated with the structure for which heat is provided. South facing
windows, for example, may serve as apertures through which solar energy is admitted to the
building, and thermal storage may be provided by inherent structural mass. Solar radiation
absorbed inside the building is converted to heat, part of which meets the current heat load
whereas the remainder is stored in the structural mass for later use after the sun has set.

Because of the integral nature of passive solar buildings, it is not possible to design the
structure independent of the heating system as is usually done with active systems. Instead, it
is necessary to consider the solar characteristics of the building from the initial phases of the
design process to completion of the construction documents. A well designed passive solar
building is comfortable, energy efficient, and very reliable because of its inherent operational
simplicity. However, a poor design, lacking some or all of these desirable characteristics,
may be very difficult to modify after construction is complete and the problems become
manifest. It has therefore been necessary to develop a new approach to building design that
couples solar/thermal considerations with the more traditional concerns of form and structure.

4.2. Passive heating system characteristics

The interaction between a passive heating system and its environment is a complex process
that involves many subtle phenomena. The complexity of the interaction makes it difficult to
determine exactly what type of passive system will perform best in a given climate.
Ultimately, detailed design analysis calculations of the type to be described later in these
procedures may be required to make the final decision. However, a few generalizations may
be cited that are useful for selecting candidate systems during the schematic phase of design.

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Direct gain buildings are passive solar heating systems in which sunlight is introduced
directly to the living space through windows or other glazed apertures. As with all passive
solar systems, it is important that the apertures face south or near south in order to achieve
high solar gains during the winter heating season and low solar gains during the summer
cooling season. Thermal storage mass is essential to the performance and comfort of direct
gain buildings. A building that has inadequate mass will overheat and require ventilation,
which entails a loss of heat that might otherwise have been stored for night time use.

Generally, it is desirable to employ structural mass as a storage medium in order to take

advantage of the improved economics associated with multiple uses. Insulation should always
be placed on the outside of massive elements of the building shell rather than on the inside in
order to reduce heat Losses without isolating the mass from the living space. Concrete floor
slabs can contribute to the heat capacity of a building provided they are not isolated by
carpets and cushioning pads. Heat losses from the slab can be limited by placing perimeter
insulation on the outside of the foundation walls. If the structure is fairly light, the heat
capacity can be effectively increased by placing water containers in the interior. A variety of
attractive containers are available commercially.

An overhang is used to shade the solar aperture from the high summer sun while permitting
rays from the low winter sun to penetrate and warn the inside of the building. In climates
having particularly warm and sunny summers, an overhang may not be sufficient to prevent
significant aggravation of the summer cooling load. Sky diffuse and ground reflected
radiation enter the living space despite the presence of an overhang and must be blocked by
external covers or internal shades. Using movable insulation on direct gain apertures has the
advantage of reducing night time heat losses during the winter-as well as eliminating
unwanted solar gains during the summer.

Direct gain buildings involve less departure from conventional construction than other types
of passive solar systems and are therefore cheaper and more readily accepted by most
occupants. However, they are subject to overheating, glare, and fabric degradation if not
carefully designed; these problems can be minimized by distributing the sunlight admitted to
the building as uniformly as possible through appropriate window placement and the use of
diffusive blinds or glazing materials. When properly designed for their location, direct gain
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buildings provide an effective means of reducing energy consumption for space heating
without sacrifice of comfort or aesthetic values.

ADVANTAGES
• All chemical and radioactive polluting by-products of the thermonuclear reactions
remain behind on the sun, while only pure radiant energy reaches the Earth.
• Energy reaching the earth is incredible. By one calculation, 30 days of sunshine
striking the Earth have the energy equivalent of the total of all the planet’s fossil fuels,
both used and unused
• The heat energy produced by sun, if ever captured completely, can satisfy entire
mankind’s energy requirement for hundreds of years

DISADVANTAGES
• Sun does not shine consistently throughout the season and varies across geographical
locations – Also the 23 ½ degree tilt of earth axis ensures non-uniform distribution of
solar energy
• Solar energy is a diffuse type of heat source. To harness, it must be concentrated into
an amount and form that we can use such as heat and electricity. The diffusion occurs
due to various environmental factors like clouds, moisture, dust, pollutant and altitude
of the location
• The intensity of solar radiation after diffusion can vary from 10% to 100%

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5. Daylighting

The use of sunlight to provide illumination within a building, especially in order to

supplement or replace electric lighting is sometimes called daylighting or passive solar. Solar
lighting may involve a variety of techniques and technologies, ranging from efficient window
placement, to the use of special window coatings that minimize reflection or can alter the
window's transmittance depending on the weather, to the use of solar collectors and fibre
optics to transmit sunlight into a building. The early 21st century as seen active research on
hybrid solar lighting, combining daylight piped in by optical fibre with electric lighting.
Through this approach, consistent illumination can be provided at a lower cost than with
conventional electric light.

5.1. WHY DAYLIGHTING?

Daylighting is the use of light from the sun and sky to complement or replace electric light.
Appropriate fenestration and lighting controls are used to modulate daylight admittance and
to reduce electric lighting, while meeting the occupants' lighting quality and quantity
requirements. Daylighting is a beneficial design strategy for several reasons:
• Pleasant, comfortable daylighted spaces may increase occupant and owner satisfaction
and may decrease absenteeism. Productive workers are a valuable business asset.
• Comfortable, pleasant, daylighted spaces may lease at better-than-average rates.
• Comfortable, pleasant spaces typically have lower tenant turnover rates.
• Lighting and its associated cooling energy use constitute 30 to 40% of a commercial
building's total energy use. Daylighting is the most cost-effective strategy for
targeting these uses. Both annual operating and mechanical system first costs can be
substantially reduced.
• The Uniform Building Code, BOCA, and State Energy Codes regulate the "proper"
use of windows in buildings.
• Energy-efficient buildings generally provide higher returns on developer investment
and yield higher cash flows.
• Smart decisions up front save retrofit dollars later.

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• Energy-efficient, daylighted buildings reduce adverse environmental impacts by

reducing the use and need for power generating plants and their polluting by-products.
• Daylight contributes to a more sustainable design approach.

5.2. DAYLIGHTING VS HUMAN PERFORMANCE

New buildings, no longer optimized for daylight, were constructed with lower ceilings and
lower skin to volume ratios. Older buildings were often retrofitted with dropped ceilings,
heavily tinted glass or insulating panels designed to reduce heat gain from windows.

The net result has been a dramatic reduction in the amount of daylight available in our
schools and workplaces during the past half-century. Two forces are working to reverse this
trend. First, when lighting electricity consumption is considered along with heating and
cooling as part of a whole building energy equation, daylighting typically provides a net
energy benefit. Daylight is intrinsically more efficient than any electric source because it
provides more lumens per unit of heat content. If appropriate daylighting techniques are used
to displace electric illumination, the savings for lighting and cooling can be dramatic.

Secondly, a growing interest in the influence of indoor environments on health and

productivity has resurrected interest in the potential health and productivity benefits of
daylighting. Reductions in worker absenteeism, higher retail sales, and better student health
were associated with increases in daylight in anecdotal reports. However, few formal
scientific studies have addressed

These types of statistical studies show strength of association between variables, but cannot
prove a causal relationship, such as between daylight and improved human performance.
Other types of studies are necessary to prove a causal mechanism. Daylight is actually quite a
complex phenomenon, involving variations in the intensity, spectrum, distribution, duration,
and timing of light exposure. A number of potential mechanisms (alone or combined) that
may have been responsible for the positive association between daylight and improved
performances of students are:
• Improved visibility due to higher illumination levels;
• Improved visibility due to better light quality;

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• Mental stimulation; and

• Improved mood, behaviour or well-being.

The potential energy savings from daylighting can be substantial. While 25% of the existing
non-residential building stock in the United States is amenable to side-lighting from
perimeter windows, an additional 60% could potentially be reached from above, via skylights
or roof monitors. If the link between increased daylight and improved human performance
holds true with additional studies, it strongly suggests that we should act to reverse our
current building trends that are reducing the presence of daylight in the workplace.

5.3. WAYS TO CALCULATE DAYLIGHTING

DAYLIGHTING CALCULATIONS BY HAND.

This is an alternative to photometry in a scale model, when it’s important to quantify daylight
illumination levels. Several standard procedures exist. A lighting designer should be familiar
with them or find from many instructional literatures are available

COMPUTER DAYLIGHTING MODELS.

Daylighting software typically delivers faster, more accurate results than illumination
calculations done by hand. Consult a lighting designer or request a “Daylighting Design Tool
Survey” from the Windows and Daylighting Group at Lawrence Berkeley National
laboratory (510-486-5605).

ENGINEERING SOFTWARE.
Refine window sizing, early glazing decisions, building form, and sitting with preliminary
mechanical load calculations. See the list of energy analysis software in the Mechanical
Coordination section of these guidelines.

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6. Transpired Solar Collector

The transpired solar collector is a thin sheet of dark perforated metal. The dark wall absorbs
solar radiation and heats fresh air drawn through its perforations by a building's ventilation
fans.

As green building practices become more important — not only for environmental reasons,
but also for cost savings and tax credits — new products supporting this philosophy are
popping up everywhere. This wealth of product information and “green wash” can be tedious
for the building professional to sort through. The transpired solar collector, however, is one
that deserves the attention of the savvy building envelope consultant. The U.S. Department of
Energy (DOE) has called transpired collectors “the most reliable, best-performing, and
lowest-cost solar heating for commercial and industrial buildings available on the market
today.” The concept has received numerous honours and awards from DOE, the American
Society of Heating, Refrigeration, & Air Conditioning Engineers, Inc. (ASHRAE), R&D
Magazine, and many others worldwide.

6.1. WORKING PRINCIPLE

The concept is simple: perforated metal wall cladding is attached approximately 4 to 8 inches
from a south-facing wall to a support grid of vertical and horizontal channels. The system
may be applied vertically or horizontally over any non-combustible wall substrate, over or
around existing wall openings. The grid system vertical channels are attached to the building
wall, the horizontal channels are attached to the vertical channels, and the perforated metal
sheets are through-fastened to the horizontal channels.

The transpired solar collector wall may be mounted to the wall in several different ways,
depending on the volume of air required. In some cases, only a portion of the south wall is
needed, or even a penthouse wall may be suitable. The sun heats the metal panel and the
heated air is drawn through tiny holes into the cavity between the panel and the wall by fans
mounted at the top of the wall. The fans then distribute the heated air into the building
through flexible ducts mounted from the ceiling, or through standard ducts connected to the
heating and ventilating system. In the winter, the heated air removes a substantial load from
the building’s conventional heating system, thus saving considerable energy and money. In

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the summer, the panel is shading the inner wall, thus reducing the cooling demands of the
building. When heating is not required, a controlled damper can be opened to allow air to
bypass the solar collector, providing a continual supply of fresh air into the building. The
transpired solar collector wall is also effective on cloudy days, although at a reduced level.

Source: http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/space_heating_cooling/index.cfm/mytopic=12510

Additional Benefits

In addition, the use of this preheated fresh air system eliminates stratification of the air inside
industrial buildings, where hot air raise to the ceiling and is lost through the roof or drawn out
with exhaust fans. Since the air is constantly being replaced, the system is ideal for vehicle
repair shops, machine shops, chemical storage plants, and industrial applications where fumes
are present. The system also provides positive pressure for the building. When a door or
window is opened, the heat from indoors exits, but the cold outside air does not rush in.

New ventilation codes specify minimum ventilation rates and indoor air quality, depending
on the type of building and the number of occupants. Inadequate fresh air may lead to “Sick
Building Syndrome,” which results in headaches; eye, nose and throat irritations; and fatigue

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and/or difficulty in concentration for its inhabitants. This system replaces the air constantly
and is ideal for manufacturing plants, hazardous waste storage buildings, gymnasiums,
airplane hangars, schools, office buildings, apartment buildings and warehouses requiring
ventilation. The system also provides process heat for agricultural or industrial purposes.

Environmentally, the transpired solar collector wall is using natural energy that is clean, thus
lowering the need for fossil fuel heat and reducing production of greenhouse gases. Payback
of the system is relatively short, and state and federal grants, as well as tax credits, are given
as incentives for solar energy use. The installation may qualify for Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design points and credits. The cost of conventional energy can vary greatly,
depending on the area and the season of the year. With soaring energy prices, the use of free
solar heat will reduce the need for conventional energy sources.

Any existing non-combustible south-facing exterior wall in need of repair could be covered
with the energy-saving transpired solar collector wall panel. For a uniform appearance, the
other exterior walls can be covered with a similar panel system in the same colour. For
variety and aesthetics, coordinating or contrasting colours may be used. Use of the perforated
panels on a vertical, southern exposure wall is recommended to collect the most solar energy.
A vertical surface will give more reflected radiation, with no snow build-up and low wind
loads.

Research has proven that each square foot of panel will supply 150 to 200 BTUs per hour.
Intake air is preheated by up to 65°F (36°C) above ambient air temperature, reducing annual
heating costs by $1 to $5 per square foot of collector wall, depending on the type of fuel
displaced. U.S., Canadian, and German governments have independently monitored
installations of this type. The International Energy Agency (IEA) Solar Heating and Cooling
Program are reporting efficiencies of over 70%.

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory, a division of the Department of Energy (DOE),
is currently monitoring some projects and is continually researching the transpired solar
collector system.

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6.2. SOLAR COLLECTOR SPECIFICATIONS

Transpired solar collectors are typically manufactured from aluminium and, to a lesser extent;
zinc, in two-wide, ribbed configurations. Thickness varies from .032-in. aluminium to .028-
in. zinc. Panels are approximately 40 in. wide and are available in many colours and with a
PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) finish. Darker colours with high solar absorption rates are
recommended for maximum effectiveness. The systems are virtually maintenance free, since
there are no liquids or moving parts other than the fan system or optional filters. The paint
finish is warranted for 30 years.

Most industrial and commercial buildings require large quantities of ventilation air to
maintain a healthy work environment. In many regions, this ventilation air needs to be heated
throughout the fall, winter, and spring to provide a comfortable work environment.
Transpired solar collectors, developed jointly during the last decade by researchers at the
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) are a reliable, low-cost technology for
preheating building ventilation air. With simple payback periods ranging from 3 to 12 years
and an estimated 30-year life span, transpired collector systems offer building

In a typical application, a large portion of a building’s south-facing wall is clad with dark-
coloured, perforated metal sheeting, which performs as a large solar collector. The sheeting is
mounted to the building’s structural wall, creating a 4- to 6-inch gap between the two. As
outside air is drawn through the collector’s perforations by ventilation fans, its temperature
increases by as much as 40°F (22°C). The heated air flows to the top of the wall, where it is
distributed to the building’s interior through conventional ductwork.

6.3. DESIGN HIGHLIGHTS

• Converts as much as 80% of available solar radiation to heat

• Ideal for use in sunny climates with long heating seasons
• Installed cost: $6 per square foot in new construction; $10 in retrofit applications
• Payback periods range from 3 to 12 years depending on climate and type of fuel being
displaced
• Estimated 30-year system life
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As a result, the transpired collector is one of the most efficient solar collectors, converting as
much as 80% of the solar energy striking it into usable heat. Ford, General Motors, Federal
Express, and McDonnell Douglas are on the growing list of industrial users of this
technology. With the exception of the fans, the transpired collector has no moving parts and
requires no maintenance. A solar collector that is about 70 percent efficient compared to 30 to
40 percent for conventional collectors.

Unlike most solar collectors, there's no glazing. Solarwall is a solar preheated for ventilation
air. The heat captured by the collector is drawn into the house by a ventilation fan. Preheating
reduces the energy needed to bring the incoming air up to comfortable temperatures. Passing
through the collector boosts air temperature by as much as 54°F. As air flows through the
panels, it picks up heat that would normally escape through the wall to the outside. This
boosts building performance even more.

Solarwall is ideal for commercial and industrial buildings with large ventilation requirements.
Residential applications can also be practical in colder climates where ventilation increases
space heating loads. For homes, the panels can be sized to the amount of ventilation air
needed. One to two sq. ft. of panel would be needed for each cubic foot per minute (cfm) of
ventilation requirement. For example, an 1800 sq. ft. house might need 84 cfm to maintain
0.35 air changes per hour. That would require an 84-sq.-ft. to 168-sq.-ft. Solarwall.

Each panel is 2-1/2 ft. x 8 ft. For residential jobs, the panels are mounted about four inches
off the weather tight exterior wall with dimensional lumber. An axial fan pulls air through the
panel and blows it into the house. Air can flow directly into the living space or be connected
to a forced air heating system for distribution. One control option is a differential temperature
control that turns the solar fan on when the air in the panel is higher than outside. Panel cost
is about $5 per sq. ft.

Aesthetics could limit Solarwall for residential applications. Colour selection is limited to
dark blue, dark brown, dark green and black. Some homeowners may not want large areas of
their house covered with dark, perforated aluminium. Solarwall systems offer an alternative
to heat recovery ventilators for sunny building sites in cold climates.

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6.4. CASE STUDIES

United States Measure on Transpired Air Collector System

Transpired air collector systems are successfully being used by both private and
governmental sectors. Installations in automotive, manufacturing, aviation, education, and
distribution facilities have shown substantial energy savings. Transpired solar collector
systems have been installed on many buildings throughout the United States.

A 3,600 sq. ft. Classic Bronze collector (solar absorptive capacity 0.91) faces 16 degrees west
of due south. The total airflow rate is 18,000 cubic feet per minute (cfm), which is delivered
by two 30-in diameter fans. For each square foot of collector wall, the flow rate is 5 cfm. The
annual renewal energy delivered is 650 million BTUs. The average air temperature rise is
13°F at 5 cfm/sq ft during daylight hours for the 9-month use season. The rise of the
temperature over ambient air on a sunny afternoon is typically 55°. The annual greenhouse
gas reduction for this installation was 98,000 pounds per year. The annual projected energy
savings for this project was $16,500, with an actual savings of $22,086, translating to a
savings of $4.60 per sq ft of collector wall. The total projected energy savings for this
installation over a 30-year project life is approximately $700,000. The simple payback
period, with accelerated MACRS depreciation, is less than 3½ years.

Greenwood Elementary School

The Greenwood Elementary School in Millerstown, PA, was recently renovated to include
730 sq. ft. of black-coloured collector wall. The annual greenhouse gas reduction is 19,000
pounds. The annual heating cost savings is $2,553, with a simple payback of five years
(based on 2008 natural gas costs). Expected savings over the 30-year project life are
$115,000. Schools are not eligible for tax credits. However, when using on-site renewable
energy, there is a possibility of additional grants from state governments.

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6.5. ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS

• Fuel is sunlight
• Displaces fossil fuels
• Saves ≈ 40 lbs / ft ft2 2 / annum of CO CO2
• Average Energy Savings:
o 1.5 - 3.5 therms / ft ft2 (of solar collector) /annum
o $1 - 6 / ft ft2 / annum (depending on fuel costs)
• Typical Payback Periods:
o New construction: 0 - 3 years
o Retrofit: 3 - 7 years
• Panel cost comparable to a brick wall

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7. Energy Minimization Techniques

The following are a few techniques that can be followed for energy utilization,

Minimize conventional air conditioning

We don't use conventional air conditioning and we encourage everybody else to abandon it
too. There is an art to living without air conditioning that has largely been lost. People used to
know how (and when) to open their houses at night for ventilation, and when to close them
up in the day time to keep out the heat of the days. Decrease use of heating appliances …
oven, stove, toaster oven, hairdryer, clothes dryer. Replace heat producing incandescent
lighting with compact fluorescent lighting.

Night time cooling

Open windows and doors to admit cool night air. Close them again as the sun rises. A well-
insulated building will retain “cool” for many hours.

Exterior window shades or awnings

Once the sun hits the window, the heat gets in the house by conduction, even if there is a
shade and a curtain on the inside of the window. Hang tightly-woven screens or bamboo
shades outside the window during the summer to stop 60-80% of the sun’s heat from getting
to the window.

Weatherization
Weatherization is the plugging and sealing of air leaks. Usually emphasized for northern
climates in wintertime to keep heat in, it can also effectively keep heat and humidity out.
Weather stripping doors, windows and attic openings; sealing around plumbing vents;
insulating around electrical wire penetrations; sealing holes between the living space and the
attic/crawlspace

Personal cooling solutions

Proper clothing, hats, cool drinks, proper hydration, hand fans, and the wisdom of the siesta
time are common sense solutions we often overlook. Ceiling and table fans can move the air
around inside (thereby knocking about 10 degrees Fahrenheit off the apparent temperature).

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Insulation
Slows heat transfer from outside to inside your home and vice versa in the winter.

Landscaping for shade and passive cooling

Plant deciduous trees and other vegetation and place structures (trellises, vines, large shrubs,
etc.) appropriately so that your sunny exposures are shaded in the summer, but open to
sunlight in the winter. People with flat roofs should definitely consider a green roof.
Deciduous trees planted to the south or west of your building block summer sun, but drop
their leaves to allow half or more of the winter sun’s energy into your home to warm you on
clear winter days. The valuable summertime shading will reduce unwanted heating as much
as 50%. Those are better results than we get from more expensive projects like window and
insulation upgrades

Radiant Barriers
Thin metal films, typically stapled to the underside of attic rafters, will reflect approx. 97% of
long-wave infrared heat radiation. Install awnings on south-facing windows where there’s
insufficient roof overhang to provide shade.

Roof whitening
If you’re replacing a roof, choose white or reflective surface. Coating existing roofs with
white elastomeric paint specifically designed for roof whitening will reduce your heat load on
the house.

Re-modelling and new construction

Integrate the principles of passive cooling into the basic design of the structure. If you’re
planning a remodel or other construction

Adjust your Expectations

Understand that our future will be quite different from the trajectory of our historic and
economic past. It must be. To reduce greenhouse gas emissions 70-80% over the next few
decades, and to create a graceful solution to Peak Oil, we must re-think and redesign all of
our fossil-fuel intensive habits.

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8. Future of solar Energy

The following aspects could be considered by the Government of Kuwait in order to promote
and nurture the solar energy technology.

INCENTIVES.
Due to the uncompetitive economics of solar power, incentives will be necessary to make it
more attractive for commercial development.

ECONOMY
Solar power is still expensive, but high growth in manufacturing of photovoltaic cells and the
construction of larger capacity sites is creating economies of scale.

FOCUS ON TECHNOLOGY
Several technologies are still at the experimental stage including solar towers, parabolic
troughs and solar chimneys. Commercial solar power generation has yet to be dominated by
one best in class technology. So finding the best power generation technique and focussing
on it to be the first in the market.

ENERGY STORAGE
Widespread uptake of commercial solar power generation will require significant investment
in energy storage. These technologies remain quite immature although new thermal solar
power plants feature storage systems to retain generated heat.

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9. Discussion

Through this paper the importance of the alternative energy are discussed. There can be many
solutions and sources available for the alternative energy development, however the strong
arguments to support Passive Solar Energy Technique is the optimal solution the following
points need to be considered,
• Solar Fuel (Sun) is renewable and it is completely non-polluting and environmental
friendly
• Less Maintenance cost or almost free maintenance
• Lifetime of free heating
• Improved indoor air quality
• Cost effective in compared with other techniques
• Socially responsible technique

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10. Conclusion and Summary

Of all the sources of alternative energy available to the mankind in its pursuit of a sustainable
future, solar power is a pivotal one. It is Plentiful, free and absolutely clean, the main
challenge to fully tap its huge potential is to harness and distribute it. We have made
considerable progress with solar power, but future uses of solar energy will be spawned by
innovations still to come. At present, solar power is used in three main ways, that is, to heat
air, water and space. Photovoltaic cells are also one of the most popular forms whereby sun
energy is converted into power.

In general it can be said that even though these principles appear to be self-evident once they
are known, it has taken this long to understand them because of their holistic nature. The
passive systems are directly coupled to the sun and the three functions of collection, storage
and distribution of heat are carefully integrated into the architectural whole.

What is needed is to understand the characteristics of the materials used and the physics of
sunlight and heat transfer. The daylighting and transpired solar collector are a few of the
evident techniques that proved very confident with the solar power generation. Hence the
passive solar systems are very promising because they are effortless; they take advantage of
the natural propensities of heat and materials to achieve the desired results without the need
for added conventional energy.

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11. References

“Various techniques to minimize energy utilization”,

http://www.energybulletin.net/primer.php accessed on 2nd August 09.

“Passive Solar Retrofit for North Carolina Homes,” by the North Carolina Solar Center,
http://www.ncsc.ncsu.edu/information_resources/publications.cfm, accessed on 12th August
09.

“The Low-carbon Lifestyle,” an online index of practical resources, plus philosophical

guidance for the transformation of society to a more sustainable existence.
http://www.LegacyLA.net/LowCarbonLifestyle.htm accessed on 27th July 09.

ASHRAE Journal, June, 2002, American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-
Conditioning Engineers, Inc.

“Re-analysis report: daylighting in schools”, Analysis report by Heschong Mahone Group.

2001 available at www.newbuildings.org/pier, accessed on 25th August 09.

“DESIGN: PASSIVE SOLAR BUILDINGS”: USACE Publication Depot: US state defence

specification documentation document id: MIL-HDBK-1003/19

Article on solar buildings by U.S. Department of Energy Conserval Systems, Inc. National
Renewable Energy Laboratory, www.eren.doe.gov/solarbuildings, accessed on 28th August
09.

Ander, Gregg D., “Daylighting Performance and Design”, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New
York, 1995

“ASHRAE Handbook of Fundamentals”, American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and

Air-Conditioning Engineers, 1993.

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Jennifer O’ Connor, “Tips for daylighting - the integrated approach” – published at Ernest
Ortlando Lawrence Barkeley National Laboratory

Cara Smusiak, “How to Find Green Energy anywhere” available at

http://planetgreen.discovery.com/home-garden/find-green-energy.html accessed on 2nd
September 09.

“Solar Thermal Power”, article at http://science.howstuffworks.com/earth/green-

technology/energy-production/solar-thermal-power.htm/printable accessed on 1st September
09.

“Future uses of Solar Energy” article at, http://www.energyrefuge.com/archives/future-uses-

of-solar-energy.htm, accessed on 14th August 09.

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