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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

MIT Solar Building 5: the second year's performance

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6478006· OSTI ID:6478006
The MIT Solar Building 5 has shown the problems associated with direct gain approaches can be overcome with new architectural finish materials that emphasize their thermophysical properties. Three new materials are demonstrated in the building: (1) a transparent window insulation; (2) a glare modulating and light directing louver; and (3) a ceiling tile that stores heat latently. 1978-1979 thermal performance measurements showed the sun supplied 62% of the building's seasonal heating requirement while an additional 13% of the load was supplied by internal gains from the lights. This was done by glazing only 45% of the south wall. Economic analyses show the payback period is 4 to 5 times faster than when using the flat plate collector approach. Architectural flexibility has been increased, even to the point where new kinds of spaces can be created using these materials.
Research Organization:
Massachusetts Inst. of Tech., Cambridge (USA). Dept. of Architecture
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Conservation and Solar Applications
DOE Contract Number:
AS02-77CS34513
OSTI ID:
6478006
Report Number(s):
DOE/CS/34513--1
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English