Air Force Course
Passive Solar Handbooks

Passive Solar Handbook - Vol. 1 Introduction To Passive Solar Concepts

Passive solar systems use the energy from the sun to heat, cool, and illuminate buildings. The Air Force has used passive solarconcepts in buildings since it was established in 1947 and will continue to do so whenever possible. Figure 1-1 illustrates apassive solar strategy used by the Air Force in 1947. Although this form of passive heating system is no longer in use, itillustrates the Air Force’s early commitment to the use of passive solar systems in commercial-type buildings.

Passive Solar Handbook - Vol. 2 Comprehensive Planning Guide

Passive solar systems use the energy from the sun to heat, cool, and illuminate buildings. A properly designed passive commercial-type building will not completely eliminate the need for auxiliary energy systems for heating, cooling, or lighting. Building size, large internal loads, and diverse building use patterns will cause continual reliance on conventional auxiliary energy sources.However, it is possible, through a combination of passive solar concepts, to reduce total energy costs by as muchas 40% while maintaining positive savings-to-investment ratios(SIR).

Passive Solar Handbook - Vol. 3 Programming Guide

This volume of the handbook supports the process of programming Air Force commercial-type (nonfamily housing) facilities.Its focus is the inclusion of passive solar design information in standard Air Force facility programming documents.The goal is to reduce energy consumption incommercial-type facilities through the application of reliable and cost-effective passive solar design concepts. This goal can be achieved only if Air Force facility programmers are both knowledgeable and sensitive to the requirements of passive solar design, and also understand how to include passive solar design requirements in programming documents.