Transparent Insulation System for Passive Solar Energy Utilization in Buildings

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Abstract
A new concept for the passive use of solar energy, transparent insulation, is described together with the first experimental results. Transparent insulation material has the property of being transparent or translucent to solar radiation while at the same time acting as heat insulation, Elements made of this material can be attached to the walls of buildings and thus permit the utilization of solar energy for heating. Relations are given for the dependence of heat flux and conversion efficiency of radiation into useful heat on the thermal resistance of the components. Calculations using meteorological data show that with materials parameters achievable with present technology not only south but also west/east and possibly even north orientations can lead to significant contributions to heating. In order to avoid overheating in summer, control of radiation must be provided. Experiments with unoptimized materials on two buildings during 1982/83 showed promising results: for a south facade during a Sunny period in January, a mean flux of 9 W/m2 into the house was observed. For the entire heating season the extrapolated value is 16 W/m2. On a western orientation a net loss was observed, but the mean effective heat transfer coefficient of the element was lowered from 1.8 W/m2K without radiation to 0.25 W/m2K with radiation. The beneficial effect of masonry walls with regard to heat storage and damping of temperature fluctuation was also demonstrated. The elements proposed here therefore appear particularly attractive for retrofitting.

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