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BUILDING SCIENCE 3B

Lecture 3: Passive Solar Design

DIRECT SOLAR GAIN

Lawrence Ogunsanya
lawrencesanya@yahoo.com


Direct gain Design Overview
Sunlight incident on transparent surfaces allows the energy to enter
the living space directly and is called Direct Gain.
Direct Gain systems are designed primarily for heating. In a direct
gain system, the collection, absorption, and storage of solar energy
occur directly within the living space.
The aim of the designer is normally to maximise solar gain within
the building in the winter (to reduce space heating demand), and to
control it in summer (to minimise cooling requirements).
The system can also be used to even out the fluctuations during the
day, and to some extent between days.
During the winter, sunlight enters the living space through the north
facing faade/glazing. The solar radiation is in turn absorbed by
elements in the interior space. (e.g. floor, walls, ceiling and
furnishings)
Direct Gain Design Overview
During the summer, the north facades should be well shaded to
prevent excessive solar heat gain.
Shading elements, such as overhangs can be an effective device to
achieve this.
Therefore, North facing windows thus form the basis for the simplest
type of solar heating system.
With some simple guidelines, this design is the cheapest and best
way to incorporate solar into a house.
Surfaces should be generally facing North (to within 20-23 degrees)
Overhangs should prevent unwanted summer gains. (it should be
minimum of meter long)
Window area should be 8-12% of the house floor area if no extra
thermal mass is added



Direct Gain Passive Solar Design
Excess window area can result in a loss of privacy, too much
glare, under heating and overheating
This amount of passive solar gain should provide no more than
40-50% of the yearly heating load

Direct Gain Passive Solar Design
Direct solar is applied through
the following:
Collectors
Storage
Control



The principal function of a direct gain collector is to admit and
trap solar energy so that it can be absorbed and stored by
elements within the direct gain space.
There are three basic types of direct gain collectors: solar
windows, clerestories, and skylights.


Direct Gain Collectors
Solar window
A solar window is simply a standard, off-the-shelf window or
patio door Installed on the north facade using conventional
construction methods.
The collector frame can be wood or metal and should be well
caulked (sealed) and weather stripped.
The solar window can be vertical, or it can be slightly tilted to
maximize the amount of incoming solar radiation.
Double glazing is recommended standard for the windows,
However high performance glazing with low-e coatings, gas
fills (triple pane) are better but expensive.


Direct Gain Collectors
Double Glazing
Triple Glazing
Direct Gain Collectors
Clerestories
Clerestories serve the same function as solar windows. They
also allow light to penetrate deeper into a space better than
solar windows , often enabling direct sunlight to strike the
south wall of the space.
As in solar windows, clerestories can be vertical or tilted,
using the same type of recommended glazing.
Clerestories can be used together in a sawtooth pattern In
order to increase the total amount of solar radiation entering
a building


Direct Gain Collectors
Sawtooth Glazing
Clerestories
Clerestories can also be used for ventilation purposes and air
movement.
Its important that the ceiling adjacent to the clerestory
should be light in colour to reflect sunlight into the space.

Direct Gain Collectors
Skylights
Skylights serve the same function as the other direct gain
collectors and can be placed flat on flat roof or tilted In a
south/north facing sloped roof. Skylights are often the least
effective collector type.
The collective character can be improved with a reflector.
Direct Gain Collectors
Skylight with reflector
In direct gain systems, solar energy can be stored in the floor.
walls, ceiling, and/or furnishes of the living space.
These components have sufficient capacity to absorb and
store heat and to reradiate the heat to the living space slowly
Most high-mass materials (concrete, wool, brick and water)
have the thermal storage capability and can be used
effectively in direct gain applications.
Its recommended that storage floors, walls and ceilings in
direct sunlight should be dark in colour to increase the
absorption of the solar energy.
Recommended thickness of floor and wall finishes should be
5mm to 10mm (or more)

Direct Gain Storage
Direct solar gain control systems can be achieved through
shading, reflecting and insulating.
Shading
To avoid excessive heat gain in the summer, it is
recommended that you provide shading for the direct gain
collector.
The most thermally effective shading devices are those
placed on the exterior of the home, such as simple overhangs
(fixed or adjustable), pergolas, vegetation, awnings, and
louvers
Interior shading devices include roller shades, blinds, curtains
and movable panels.
Interior shading devices provide insulation for the interior
space.
Direct Gain Control
Direct Gain Control
Reflecting
Reflectors placed strategically above or below a collector can
help increase overall system performance.
The provision of reflectors can also improve solar collection
by 30% to 40%.
Light coloured landscape elements such as patios or terraces
are recommended. It is noted , that these elements are not
as effective as reflector panels. However, they do not present
glare and they require no additional maintenance.

Direct Gain Control
Insulating
Direct gain storage ceiling ,wall and floors that are exposed
should be insulated externally and internally to reduce heat
loss and absorb excessive heat.


Direct Gain Control
Direct Gain Control
Advantages
Direct gain can be the easiest to build using standard
construction materials and methods
The system dose not radically alter the appearance of the
home
The system provides effective natural light and reduces energy
consumption.
Improves the comfort of the interior space.
Disadvantages
Large expanse of north facing glazing can cause glare and
privacy problems
Ultraviolet radiation in sunlight can fade and degrade fabrics
Some high performance devices can be costly.


Direct Gain : Advantage and
Disadvantages
Questions