Passive Solar Heating for Small Business Owners
The BigHorn Home Improvement Center in Colorado uses daylighting to reduce its electricity costs and to minimize its cooling loads.
The following resources can help you incorporate passive solar heating and daylighting designs into your office or commercial building. If you are unfamiliar with these technologies, see the introduction to passive solar heating and daylighting.
General Information
U.S. Department of Energy Consumer's Guide: Passive Solar Home Design
Can be applied to other buildings as well.
Tips for Daylighting with Windows
Guidelines from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory for commercial buildings.
Solar Energy for Homes: Passive Solar Design
From the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association.
American Solar Energy Society
Has publications on passive solar design and daylighting, and information on its National Tour of Solar Homes, which is held every October in many communities throughout the United States.
Passive Solar Design Guidelines
From the Sustainable Building Sourcebook.
Evaluation Tools
Solar Radiation Data Manual for Buildings
Provides information on solar radiation and illuminance values for windows in many areas across the United States.
Training and Workshops
Solar Energy International
Features information about its hands-on workshops and online courses in solar building technologies.
Financing
U.S. Department of Energy Toolbook for Financing Energy Efficiency and Pollution Prevention Technologies (PDF 58 KB) Download Adobe Reader.
Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy
Provides information on state, local, utility, and selected federal incentives that promote renewable energy.
The Borrowers Guide to Financing Solar Energy Systems (PDF 501 KB) Download Adobe Reader.
