Simple Methodology for Generating Solar Percentage Graphs Based on Actual Winters

摘要

Easy-to-use solar percentage graphs using real meteorological data have been generated for the use of passive designers in Iowa. To use the graphs the designer must estimate four variables (building heat loss coefficient, glass area, storage heat capacity, and internal heat generation) and form ratios of these quantities. From the appropriate graph and its accompanying formula a designer can quickly estimate the solar performance and auxiliary heat requirement of a building. Such graphs can be generated by any convenient calculation method. Ours were generated by a simple heat balance method carried out separately for each night and day; this method and some of its uses are described. (ERA citation 04:056199)