Implications of solar energy alternatives for community design

• Main Authors: Santos, A., Steinitz, C.
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Published: Harvard University 1980
• Subjects: Solar Energy; Energy Demand; Monthly Variations; Demand; Passive Solar Cooling Systems; Solar Cooling Systems; Solar Equipment; Arizona; Thermal Energy Storage Equipment; Residential Sector; Southeast Region; Massachusetts; Pumps; Solar Power Plants; 140700 > Solar Thermal Power Systems; Electric Power; Power Plants; Electric-Powered Vehicles; Hydroelectric Power Plants; 140900 > Solar Thermal Utilization; Degree Days; Power; Vehicles; Georgia; Turbines; Solar Thermal Power Plants; North Atlantic Region; Solar Heating Systems; Transportation Sector; Western Region 299001* > Energy Planning & Policy > Solar > (1989-); Architecture; Machinery; Mission Analysis; Communities; Water Heaters; Heating Systems; Energy; Wind Turbines; Energy Storage Systems; Solar Architecture; 29 Energy Planning; Policy And Economy; Energy Storage; Planning; Design; Cooling Load; Appliances; Annual Energy Storage; Heating Load; Water Pumps; Insolation; Usa; Storage; Energy Sources; Public Utilities; Energy Analysis; Variations; Heaters; Turbomachinery; Maps; Equipment; North America; Low-Head Hydroelectric Power Plants; Renewable Energy Sources; Solar Water Heaters; Thermal Power Plants; 14 Solar Energy; Passive Solar Heating Systems; Climates; Low Head; North Atlantic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.2172/6882810; https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1184588/

A graduate-level studio at the Harvard School of Design explored how a policy of solar-based energy independence will influence the design of a new community of approximately 4500 housing units and other uses. Three large sites outside Tucson (a cooling problem), Atlanta (a humidity problem), and Boston (a heating problem) were selected. Each is typical of its region. A single program was assumed and designed for. Each site had two teams, one following a compact approach and one following a more dispersed approach. Each was free to choose the most appropriate mix of (solar) technology and scale, and was free to integrate energy and community in the design as it saw fit. These choice and integration issues are key areas where our experience may be of interest to those involved in community design and solar energy.