REVIEW ON PASSIVE SOLAR BUILDINGS

Abstract

Passive solar design is the first step toward achieving climate responsive and sustainable building design. With the introduction of modern construction technologies in the country, the building sector has adopted uniform design and building techniques which is neglecting local climate. Houses generally refer to a shelter or building that is meant as a dwelling or place for habitation by human beings. “Houses” include many kinds of dwelling ranging from rudimentary huts or nomadic tribes to high-rise apartment buildings. A major constraint in meeting this demand is the spiralling cost of energy and other changes in climate. Passive solar buildings aim to maintain interior thermal comfort throughout the sun's daily and annual cycles whilst reducing the requirement for active heating and cooling system Passive solar building design is one part of green building design. The scientific basis for passive solar building design has been developed from a combination of climatology, thermodynamics (particularly heat transfer), and human thermal comfort (for buildings to be inhabited by humans). Specific attention is directed to the site and location of the dwelling, the prevailing climate, design and construction, solar orientation, placement of glazing-and-shading elements, and incorporation of thermal mass. While these considerations may be directed to any building, achieving an ideal solution requires careful integration of these principles.