Harness the sun's power for passive solar design at home

Expert advice on passive solar design from solar energy expert Garry Baverstock from Ecotect Architects in Swanbourne, WA.

Q. How does solar energy work in a home?

A. Winter sun shines through the northern windows and is absorbed by heavyweight materials internally, storing the warmth for later release. In summer, by creating 100 per cent external shading to walls and particularly windows, heat is reduced in the buildings.

Q. What is passive solar energy?

A. The natural heat from the sun trapped by a strategically planned and designed building. You apply basic solar power design principles such as proper northerly orientation and shaping of a building, proper placement of windows and doors for ventilation and the right amount of roof, wall and floor insulation.

Q. What are the benefits of using passive solar design in a home?

A. A passive home in most climatic regions will not need supplementary heating or cooling. By combining a passive solar house with a solar water heater and low energy lighting there can be huge reductions of energy demands in the built environment.

Q. What does it take to be an architect who specialises in projects that incorporate passive solar energy principles?

A. The most important ingredient, after technical ability and specialist training, is the professional and personal ethics to respect our planet, and the desire to pass on a truly sustainable environment to the next generation.

Q. What is the biggest budget blowout when designing a house that incorporates passive solar design principles?

A. In any home, it's the lifestyle products, systems, finishes and fixtures. The 'blow out' for passive solar houses is a myth perpetuated by conservative forces in the building industry with a vested interest in maintaining the status quo