December 2000
Passive solar design consists of inherently flexible principles that can reduce or eliminate the need for mechanical heating and cooling and daytime artificial lighting, with low maintenance risks over the life of the building. This technology fact sheet explains how designers and builders can use passive solar design concepts to increase energy efficiency and comfort in homes. Passive solar design does not need to be complex—given the proper building site, virtually any type of architecture can integrate passive solar design—but it does require knowledge of solar geometry, window technology and the local climate.
Written and prepared for:
U.S. Department of Energy
4 pages