BuildingCircles  Organization Creating affordable and sustainable, nature-integrated homes for independent living

Solar Heat

 

A premise behind the design philosophy of BuildingCircles is that basic shelter should contribute toward its own internal heating and cooling.  It should be supported by annual solar heat storage and other alternative, non-carbon dioxide producing energy systems.  Relatively large amounts of thermal energy can be derived from daily solar gain and stored seasonally in the ground for interior and hot water heating.  The maximization of this solar gain may best be achieved by utilizing landscape-integrated buildings.   Additionally, the single most effective method for conserving energy from the start is with sufficient high quality insulation.  A portion of heating and cooling can also be achieved with the use of a buried (4'-6') "ground loop" circulating 50° ± F. water.

 

The Solar Harvester Thermosyphon  Drawing is provided courtesy of  Jon D. McWhirter, Ph.D., P.E. (click picture for printable version of drawing)

The Solar Harvester  invention is the basis for collection and storage of solar thermal energy for heating BuildingCircles community homes. A hermetically sealed, flat-plate, solar heat collector used under water is an example of our nature-integrated design. In one example there will be a large underground cistern to store the heat.  Heated water will circulate from the cistern through radiant floor heating.

 
 

SolarHarvester  Solar Heat Collector SolarHarvester is the BCO system for collecting solar heat and storing it in an insulated water, ground, or rock medium.  It is intended for use year-round in Northern latitude locations such as the Pacific Northwest.  In the version shown in the drawing above, year-round heat storage is in a water cistern under the dwelling.  Further technical details are available. Heat collection and storage systems using some of the same elements of BCO's SolarHarvester are used worldwide for year-round,  carbon-neutral heating of buildings.       AVERAGE SOLAR INSOLATION,  HORIZONTAL FLAT PLATE  (from National Renewable Energy Laboratory)  by Jon D. McWhirter, Ph.D., P.E for BuildingCircles Organization (click chart for printable enlargement) THERMAL STORAGE AND USE FOR  ANNUAL SOLAR HEAT STORAGE SYSTEM by Jon D. McWhirter, Ph.D., P.E for BuildingCircles Organization (click chart for printable enlargement)       Worldwide Examples of High-Temperature, Underground, Thermal Energy Storage (HT-UTES) at High Latitudes  International Energy Agency- Energy Conservation through Energy Storage (IEA-ECES) Drake's Landing Solar Community (Canada) Alternative Energy Information Index to Seasonal Thermal Energy Storage Newsletters (Archive 1978-1993) ASME: Journal of Solar Energy Engineering Trends in Japan: Novel Energy Storage Systems Solar Engineering Savings Calculations University of Wisconsin, Madison, College of Engineering, Information re Concentrating Solar Collector University of Ontario, Engineering and Applied Sciences, "Thermal Energy Background" Solar District Heating with a Combined Pit and Duct Storage in the Underground     Meditation Pond Designed and Built by Robert Bornn Heather Heights Estate in Saratoga, California H-7  Illustrates the type of pond that could  be used in the Solar Harvester system

 

Home  . BCO Homes . Housing Needs . Solar Heat . Universal Design . Development
FAQ . Gallery  . Op-ed . Site Map . Bios . Links .  Contact