Climate Analysis Theory
The solar collector space in a solar heated and cooled greenhouse is the building enclosure, which must have transparent surfaces through which to collect sunlight, and it must have insulating surfaces where sunlight is not being collected, to help minimize the loss of the heat energy stored.
The transparent glazing must be oriented on the compass to collect solar heat as well as possible, so it is always facing as closely as possible to due south in the northern hemisphere, due north in the southern hemisphere.
In winter, when it is desirable to gather as much sunlight as possible, our location on the Earth is tilted away from the sun, causing the sun to enter at a lower angle, to shine on the inside walls, helping to store more heat. In summer, when it is desirable to minimize the solar heat gathered inside, the sun is at a higher angle, so it shines more on the floor and less on the walls, minimizing the collecting area. The sun’s exposure can be further minimized in summer, by the use of roof overhangs or shading devices over the glazing, and by creating trellises for vines to occupy, shading areas of the greenhouse where we want to create cooler zones.
The transparent glazing must be oriented on the compass to collect solar heat as well as possible, so it is always facing as closely as possible to due south in the northern hemisphere, due north in the southern hemisphere.
In winter, when it is desirable to gather as much sunlight as possible, our location on the Earth is tilted away from the sun, causing the sun to enter at a lower angle, to shine on the inside walls, helping to store more heat. In summer, when it is desirable to minimize the solar heat gathered inside, the sun is at a higher angle, so it shines more on the floor and less on the walls, minimizing the collecting area. The sun’s exposure can be further minimized in summer, by the use of roof overhangs or shading devices over the glazing, and by creating trellises for vines to occupy, shading areas of the greenhouse where we want to create cooler zones.