Passive Solar

Within Arizona(USA) is a beautiful cliff-dwelling built by the Sinagua people in 1100-1425 AD. Montezuma Castle (renamed to this by colonizers) has around 20 rooms, and is built using a method that today people call “passive solar building.”

“In passive solar building design, windows, walls, and floors are made to collect, store, reflect, and distribute solar energy, in the form of heat in the winter and reject solar heat in the summer. This is called passive solar design because, unlike active solar heating systems, it does not involve the use of mechanical and electrical devices.” Wikipedia

For the cliff dwelling, that included a design that ensured the buildings were hit with the heat of the low-winter sun, but protected from the high-summer sun by overhang. It also made use of ventilation, small windows and doors (to reduce temperature loss), and more.

This ancient knowledge is making a comeback in houses, but is really helping for greenhouses. Even in colder climates where temperatures can reach -40c(-40f), passive solar designs are enabling greenhouses to run all-year.

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I love the concept of passive greenhouses, and even did a photobash of one when people in another community were wanting more winter solarpunk art (though these are more like the passive greenhouses highlighted in the Low Tech magazine article than a proper Walipini with the steeper windows etc).
I also like this image for walipinis, as it shows the cold sump though I don't think the roof is right for where I am.

I definitely like the look of some of them
- Oh wow! Thanks for sharing those! I've actually never seen one with a "cold sink" before, so I will have to learn about that!
- That is fascinating to see with the style of the greenhouse! I wonder how feasible that may be for myself.

Is the “heat collection system” just barrels of water or something more complex? I know water can hold onto a lot of heat.
- Yes, water is very common! Another option I sometimes see is rock incorporated into the build in some way (like a stone wall).
  Here's an example:
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  Thick stone walls are magic, lots of older houses in southern France, Italy, Spain etc are built with them and it keeps them at a pretty stable temperature inside year round.

Some of the same basic ideas as awnings on more modern buildings. Coincidentally Technology Connections just did a video on that. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhbDfi7Ee7k

7 comments