Passive solar is cost-effective: observations on financing conservation and passive solar features in public sector housing
The cost-effectiveness of passive solar systems depends not only on costs and performance but on future fuel prices, the value of architectural amenities, and the financial position of the investor. Because the state is unstable, un-taxed, and has access to low-cost capital, it can afford to make energy-saving/passive solar investments 2 to 3 times those typical in the private sector. Experience with 17 state-financed passive solar housing projects presently in varying stages of design and construction indicates that passive solar systems in multi-family housing can be highly cost-effective. Investments to data are predicted to average $422/GJ/yr. ($445/MMBtu/yr) saved, while life-cycle cost estimates indicate that expenditures which average up to $650 ($700) are justified. The major barrier to passive solar in multi-family housing appears to be a lack of knowledge, both within the government and the architectural profession, about economical passive solar design opportunities.
- OSTI ID:
- 6781543
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-801016-(Vol.1)
- Journal Information:
- Proc. Annu. Meet. - Am. Sect. Int. Sol. Energy Soc.; (United States), Vol. 5.1; Conference: 5. national passive solar conference, Amherst, MA, USA, 19 Oct 1980
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
APARTMENT BUILDINGS
ENERGY CONSERVATION
PASSIVE SOLAR HEATING SYSTEMS
COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS
DESIGN
ELDERLY PEOPLE
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
INVESTMENT
LIFE-CYCLE COST
MASSACHUSETTS
STATE GOVERNMENT
AGE GROUPS
BUILDINGS
COST
ENERGY SYSTEMS
EQUIPMENT
HEATING SYSTEMS
HUMAN POPULATIONS
MINORITY GROUPS
NORTH AMERICA
NORTH ATLANTIC REGION
POPULATIONS
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOLAR HEATING SYSTEMS
USA
140901* - Solar Thermal Utilization- Space Heating & Cooling