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Passive solar energy in Europe - an overview

Lewis, J.O.

Passive solar is identified as a renewable energy technology with strong economic and technical advantages. Passive heating, natural cooling and daylighting represent a spectrum of strategies whose applicability is modified by region and building type, and whose contribution varies from the modest fraction by which most European buildings alrady benefit, to that in well-designed new buildings where the solar contribution may represent more than half of the energy conventionally required to provide comfortable thermal and visual environments. Currently solar energy may contribute the equivalent of more than 20 MTOE peryear to the European Community's energy economy; it is suggested that this contribution could be doubled by the year 2000, provided the appropriate programmes are implemented. Characteristically a design-oriented and building-specific technology, at a certain level passive solar has already been shown to provide in a cost-effective manner indoor climates which occupants enjoy. However substantial potential exists to increase its contribution, if certain non-technical obstacles are overcome and work is sustained in developing new and improved materials, components and systems, and in causing building design professionals to make use of modern tools which facilitate the making of a regionally-opposite, energy conscious architecture.