THE PRINCIPLES OF
SOLAR DESIGN
Benefits of solar energy
For both new and retrofit projects,
solar energy can substantially
enhance building design.
Solar energy offers these advantages
over conventional energy:
■ Free after recovering upfront
capital costs. Payback time can
be relatively short.
■ Available everywhere and
inexhaustible.
■ Clean, reducing demand for fossil
fuels and hydroelectricity, and
their environmental drawbacks.
■ Can be building-integrated,
which can reduce energy
distribution needs