This book presents techniques for building and optimizing structures with integrated solar energy systems. It describes active solar systems such as photovoltaics and parabolic concentrators as well as passive solar systems and covers optimal materials to use, daylighting, shading, solar blinds, rock and water energy storage and more. It discusses the best ways to site a solar structure considering exposure, elevation, slope, clearance, wind protection, etc. The book includes numerous full-color figures and more than 100 MATLAB® files.

Energy Sources, Energy Uses and Global Warming. The Internal Environment of a Residence. Heat Losses from a Residence. The Seasons and Solar Angles. Solar Energy and its Attenuation Through the Atmosphere. Transmission of Light Through Glazing. Climate and Siting of a Solar Structure. Solar Structures, From Early to Modern. Passive Solar Collection. Non-Concentrating, Active Solar Collectors. Parabolic Trough Concentrators. High Concentration Solar Thermal Systems. Generation from Photovoltaic Panels. Architectural Considerations for Capturing Solar Energy. Structural Design Requirements in a North American Home. Methods of Energy Storage. Appendix A. Appendix B. Index.