Solar energy. Volume II. The potential for the solar heating and cooling of buildings

The design and performance of several solar houses, schools, and an office building are presented. The technical and economic feasibility of solar heating and cooling is addressed. Cost analyses for single family residences indicate that solar systems are non-competitive against oil or natural gas, but are competitive against electric resistance heating. The impact of solar heating and cooling on the physical environment would be favorable. Model projections to the year 2010 of the impact of market penetration by solar energy indicates a direct energy savings of 1.5 quadrillion Btu/yr, an employment by the new industry of about 100,000 persons, a reduction in oxides of sulfur air pollution by slightly less than 300,000 tons/yr and of particulates by 50,000 tons/yr. The growth of solar energy will affect building codes, standards, zoning, and financing and legal issues such as sun rights will emerge.