Active Outline

General Information

Course ID (CB01A and CB01B)
E SD081C
Course Title (CB02)
Passive Solar Buildings
Course Credit Status
Credit - Degree Applicable
Effective Term
Fall 2024
Course Description
This course explores the use of solar energy to passively heat and cool buildings. Specific topics include passive solar design strategies and principles, solar radiation and geometry, shading analysis, building heating and cooling loads, and the proper size and implementation of thermal mass and windows.
Faculty Requirements
Discipline 1
[Building Codes and Regulations (Inspecting of construction, building codes, contractor training)]
Discipline 3
[Construction Technology]
FSA
[FHDA FSA - FACILITIES MAINTENANCE TECH]
Course Family
Not Applicable

Course Justification

This course is CSU transferable and a requirement of the CTE Energy Management and Building Science A.A. degree. It presents an overview of passive solar building design concepts and gives a complete understanding of the relevance of these concepts to the design of energy-efficient buildings.

Foothill Equivalency

Does the course have a Foothill equivalent?
No
Foothill Course ID

Course Philosophy

Formerly Statement

Course Development Options

Basic Skill Status (CB08)
Course is not a basic skills course.
Grade Options
  • Letter Grade
  • Pass/No Pass
Repeat Limit
0

Transferability & Gen. Ed. Options

Transferability
Transferable to CSU only

Units and Hours

Summary

Minimum Credit Units
3.0
Maximum Credit Units
3.0

Weekly Student Hours

TypeIn ClassOut of Class
Lecture Hours3.06.0
Laboratory Hours0.00.0

Course Student Hours

Course Duration (Weeks)
12.0
Hours per unit divisor
36.0
Course In-Class (Contact) Hours
Lecture
36.0
Laboratory
0.0
Total
36.0
Course Out-of-Class Hours
Lecture
72.0
Laboratory
0.0
NA
0.0
Total
72.0

Prerequisite(s)

E S D051B

Corequisite(s)

Advisory(ies)

ESL D272. and ESL D273., or ESL D472. and ESL D473., or eligibility for EWRT D001A or EWRT D01AH or ESL D005.

Limitation(s) on Enrollment

Entrance Skill(s)

General Course Statement(s)

Methods of Instruction

Lecture and visual aids

Discussion of assigned reading

Discussion and problem-solving performed in class

In-class essays

In-class exploration of Internet sites

Quiz and examination review performed in class

Homework and extended projects

Field observation and field trips

Guest speakers

Collaborative learning and small group exercises/projects

Assignments

  1. Reading assignments from textbook and other relevant materials
  2. Writing assignments involving calculations, summary, analysis, and synthesis of data and/or information
  3. Individual or team presentations/projects/reports on an assigned topic

Methods of Evaluation

  1. Weekly classwork and homework assignments to practice student comprehension of principles and concepts related to a module.
  2. Several individual or team report presentations to demonstrate the ability to analyze, synthesize, and organize information on an assigned topic.
  3. Biweekly quizzes and a final examination to evaluate the understanding of the key material introduced and studied throughout the course.

Essential Student Materials/Essential College Facilities

Essential Student Materials:
  • Calculator with advanced functions
  • Internet device with word processing and spreadsheet capabilities
Essential College Facilities
  • Kirsch Center (KC) for Environmental Studies (a sustainable building with sustainable materials and design features), energy management lab (KC239), solar photovoltaic (PV) demonstration arrays (KC West, outdoors), building renewable energy systems (solar thermal system, solar PV system, controls room & other related equipment), and building mechanical (KC204) and electrical (KC205) rooms

Examples of Primary Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisherDate/EditionISBN
Zhai, Z.Energy Efficient Buildings: Fundamentals of Building Science and Thermal SystemsJohn Wiley & Sons, Inc.20239781119881933
Randolph, J., & Masters, G. M.Energy for Sustainability: Technology, Planning, and PolicyIsland Press2018/2nd Ed.9781610918206
Thorpe, D.Passive Solar Architecture Pocket ReferenceRoutledge20189781138806281
Hootman, T.Net Zero Energy Design: A Guide for Commercial ArchitectureJohn Wiley & Sons, Inc.20139781118018545

Examples of Supporting Texts and References

None.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

Course Objectives

  • Introduce the fundamentals of passive design strategies for buildings
  • Examine the solar resource and its importance to building loads
  • Review heating and cooling building loads and their applications to passive solar design
  • Analyze methods for passive solar heating

CSLOs

  • Identify the design strategies of passive solar buildings

  • Estimate the solar insolation available to buildings

  • Calculate the passive building heating and cooling loads

  • Design thermal storage for a passive solar building

Outline

  1. Introduce the fundamentals of passive design strategies for buildings
    1. Systems approach to building design
    2. Passive solar principles and strategies
    3. Design of passive solar
  2. Examine the solar resource and its importance to building loads
    1. Radiation from the sun
    2. Solar geometry
    3. Analysis of shading
  3. Review heating and cooling building loads and their applications to passive solar design
    1. Heating loads review
    2. Cooling loads
      1. Avoiding cooling loads
      2. Reducing cooling loads through better windows
      3. Simple cooling calculations
      4. Dehumidification
      5. Human comfort
  4. Analyze methods for passive solar heating
    1. A “sun tempered” house
    2. The importance of thermal mass
    3. Passive solar heating system types
    4. Estimating solar performance
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