The Passive Solar Panel - Heating and CoolingCreated By Simha Bode 2013

Cut-away of the Trombe wall in its passive-heating mode

The passive heating mode means the upper and lower vents are both open and the roof of the panel is latched shut.

Cool air from the room enters the panel by the lower vent

The heated air is pushed back into the room from the upper

vent

The suns rays hit the glazing

of the passive solar panel

As the air heats up inside the panel it expands and rises

Cut-away of the Trombe wall in its passive-cooling mode

In the passive cooling mode the passive solar panel is acting like a solar chimney. The bottom vent of the panel is open, the upper vent is closed and the roof of the panel is opened. A high window on the opposite side of the room from the panel is opened. This creates a cross ventilation, pulling the cool air in from the window. As the sun hits the panel it heats the air and creates a draw, pulling the hot air from the house and exhausting it out the panels open roof.

Close-up