A Generalized Procedure for Assessing the Inclusion/Non-Inclusion of Passive Solar Techniques in Facility Design

摘要

Consideration of inclusion of solar energy concepts into the design of new facilities is mandatory for Air Force planners under current public law. Some guidance has been provided to Air Force planners, mainly within the Life-Cycle Costing Manual for the Federal Energy Management Programs. However, no complete procedure exists for performing an economic feasibility study of passive solar concepts. This thesis proposes a procedure for assessing the economic feasibility of passive solar concepts versus conventional construction. Utilizing the proposed procedure, an actual study was done for the proposed MX MFH units. The study revealed that a conventionally designed MFH unit had a lower life-cycle cost than the analyzed passive designs, over the facility's projected 25 year life. The procedure utilized for the actual study was used as a guide to identify the factors that an Air Force planner needs to make sound fiscal decisions on the inclusion/non-inclusion of passive solar techniques in facility designs. One passive concept not investigated due to insufficient data was the so-called double-shell design, which, if functions as claimed, would eliminate the need of any heating or cooling equipment. Elimination of this equipment could quite possibly make this passive concept economically feasible for facility designs. (Author)