SolArchitecture Assignment #7

ENVD4035
Boulder, Colorado

Nicole McLaughlin
Alexandra Brower
Cristina Tillberry
Characterizing the Solar Resource: Radiation Range
Annual Average High
Global Horizontal
Annual Mean
Global Horizontal
Annual Average Low
Global Horizontal
Average Radiation
Range in December
215 145 45 90
Characterizing the Solar Resource: Sky cover Range
Annual Average High Annual Mean

Annual Average Low Months with lowest
Sky Cover Percentage
86% 50% 11% November - January
In the Summer and Fall months, from Jun 21 to December 21
Shade is needed starting from 10:00 am until around 4:00 pm
There is not a lot of comfort zone levels, where shade helps,
seen in yellow on the chart during these months
Characterizing the Solar Resource: Sky Cover Range
Insolation Analysis: Total Radiation
South side is the sunniest with the most radiation
Insolation Analysis: Total Direct Radiation
Direct radiation comes in strong on the South side
Insolation Analysis: Total Diffuse Radiation
Still some diffuse radiation on the North side
Tested Insolation with Different Shape
and Size Windows
Smaller windows, triangular nor square
Insolation Analysis: Total Radiation
After changing the windows on the South side, the total radiation changed
tremendously
Insolation Analysis: Total Direct Radiation
With different shaped and sized windows, the direct
radiation was not as high
Insolation Analysis: Total Diffuse Radiation
There is less diffuse radiation on the South side than before
with the new windows
Orientation

Leaving everything constant, we
wanted to show the professor that
a south facing house would be better.

The most affected variable from
orientation is heating
Building Insulation
We used the R-value of 28.4 fiberglass
to see if it would have a high heat
capacity

Looking at the highest R-value, we
used the gypsum Structural Insulated
Panels with an R-value of 35.8

The SIP insulated the building better
Glazing
Used high SHGC to keep more heat in.
Double-paned High-gain Low-E Argon filled
had .56 SHGC
Double-pane, clear, metal-frame, air filled
had .68 SHGC
The Argon has higher heat capacity


18% window with 40%S 20% N,W,E was
higher in terms of heating

15% windows 50%N and 50%S was better
for heat
Thermal mass


Changed floor mass to gypsum

For the other, made all thermal
massing the best they could be to
contain heat.
Best Passive Design
Contains SIP insulation, high-gain low-E Argon fill windows, 50%
windows on North and South, and gypsum floor mass, ceiling,
exterior wall and partition mass
Summary of Findings
We used high solar heat gain coefficient windows
which transmit more solar heat into a space
Keeping in mind that the goal being to heat the
space, we oriented our building in Ecotect North
to allow for direct solar gains through the
windows on the South side
The South facing side of the house is the most
sunniest area and has the most Direct Radiation
Smaller windows on the South side create more
diffuse radiation on the North side



Dear Professor
Passive Solar Design should be the starting
point when designing the form and function
of the building
An appealing design, while also being energy
efficient is possible through glazing,
orientation, insulation, and thermal mass