In the design of passive solar buildings, windows, walls and floors are made to collect, store and distribute solar energy in the form of heat in the winter and reject solar heat in the summer. This is called passive solar design because, unlike active solar heating systems, it does not involve the use of mechanical and electrical devices.
The key to designing a passive solar building is to take advantage of local climate performance and accurate site analysis. The elements to be considered include the placement and size of the window, and the type of glazing, thermal insulation, thermal mass and shading. Passive solar design techniques can be applied more easily to new buildings, but existing buildings can be adapted or modernized.
Passive solar technologies use sunlight without active mechanical systems (in contrast to active solar energy). These technologies convert sunlight into usable heat (in water, air and thermal mass), cause movement of air for ventilation or future use, with little use of other sources of energy. A common example is a solarium on the equator side of a building. Passive cooling is the use of the same design principles to reduce cooling requirements during the summer.
Some passive systems use a small amount of conventional energy to control dampers, shutters, night insulation and other devices that improve the collection, storage and use of solar energy, and reduce undesirable heat transfer.
Passive solar technologies include direct and indirect solar gain for space heating, solar water heating systems based on thermosyphon, use of thermal mass and phase change materials to slow down indoor air temperature, solar cookers, the solar chimney for improve natural ventilation and protection of the earth.
More broadly, passive solar technologies include the solar oven, but this requires some external energy to align their concentration mirrors or receivers, and historically they have not proven to be practical or cost-effective for widespread use. The 'low-grade' energy needs, such as space and water heating, have proven over time to be better applications for the passive use of solar energy.