Passive solar gain is the heat energy that is created as sunlight passes into a building. Solar rays coming through windows create a greenhouse effect that warms the interior spaces of your home. This is desirable during cold winter, but not so much during the summer.

Did you know that approximately half the heat gain in your home is from sunlight coming through windows?

Managing the sunlight that enters your home can help you keep your house warm in the winter and cool in the summer. For instance, shading your windows during summer months will significantly reduce the ambient temperature and put less of a burden on your air conditioning. Heating a properly designed solar home can cost 80% to 95% less than a conventional home of similar size. Saving $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$!

Planting deciduous trees in strategic locations around your house can be a huge benefit, since they lose their foliage in the winter, deciduous trees let the sunlight in when you need it, but block that unwanted heat with their full summer canopy.

You have architectural options for managing solar gain, too.

On south facing windows, overhangs and light shelves can block high summer sun, but in the winter, when the sun traces a lower arc, allow sunlight to come in when that solar gain can help you out.

Learn More!:

Some interesting stats about Solar Gain and how to combat it.

Wikipedia’s Entry on Solar Building Design

Download a great PDF about Solar Gain Design here

A great summary of shading structures, systems & Devices