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Passive solar systems They allow the capture and accumulation of heat from solar energy through windows, walls or, for example, roofs without the need to use other electromechanical devices such as fans or recirculation pumps, hence the name of passives.
Its energy efficiency takes advantage of solar resources from basic heat transfer mechanisms (convection, conduction and radiation) that combined give rise to a net transfer of heat towards a receptacle, taking advantage of said accumulated energy for a particular purpose. This is how it is possible to capture and accumulate the energy that comes from the sun in a discreet and economical way, since they are systems that are part of the design of the building. In fact, they are widely used in bioclimatic architecture.
Thanks to their ability to isolate indoor environments from the outdoors, they help avoid strong temperature contrasts. This is possible, basically, because accumulate heat and then they give it to the indoor environment, just when outside the temperatures drop.
Bioclimatic houses
They take the form of walls, windows, roofs, or, what is the same, the capacity of these basic elements of any home is used to give them this bioclimatic functionality. In addition, the construction of other less common elements such as attached greenhouses, solar chimneys or interior galleries are also considered passive solar systems.
The objective of all of them is to take advantage of the construction elements to catch the sun spontaneously, ideally in order to add its effects to achieve greater thermal comfort without the need to resort to another type of energies with the highest environmental footprint, from renewables that require electromechanical support to those that depend on fossil energy.
On the contrary, whether by conduction, convection and radiation, passive solar systems are ideal for get heat from solar energy, of course, compatible with other energies, thus offering greater versatility than solar energy obtained from solar thermal energy or popular photovoltaic panels.
Direct or mixed solar collection
Within the passive energy harvesting systemsThe most basic is to capture solar radiation directly through windows, large windows, glazed patios, skylights and other transparent or translucent elements of the facades. In this way, it is captured through these strategically oriented glasses.
Greenhouses, inertia walls or Trombe walls, on the other hand, are indirect capture systems that capture solar heat in an intermediate space between the outside and the space on which it is interested to act.
As in the direct system, it starts with direct radiation through glazed surfaces and then sends that heat where it is of interest through different methods, such as elements of thermal mass or convection, regulation openings, or through a combination of both systems.
In case of not giving the necessary conditions For solar collection at the required levels, there is also the option of implementing remote collection systems in the form of independent solar air collectors that perform their function by means of air ducts, although in this case a mechanism is required to make it arrive, so they are not passive in the strict sense.
Disadvantages of passive solar systems
Each of the systems have advantages and disadvantages that in many cases can be minimized, such as glare from the reflection produced or a productivity that exceeds or is insufficient. Precisely, the bioclimatic design must take into account these risks in each specific case.
Assessing in each case its convenience and better design in combination with conventional or renewable energy sources of another type will be key to obtaining the desired result, which is none other than achieving an energy cost as low as possible by means of a production adapted to the needs that, in addition, is eco-friendly.
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