What is the goal of passive solar design?

• A. To maximize window area regardless of shading
• B. To minimize energy use by leveraging winter sun and shading summer sun.
• C. To minimize thermal mass
• D. To eliminate the need for insulation

Answer: (B)

Passive solar design aims to reduce energy use by using the sun to heat spaces in winter and keep spaces cooler in summer. This relies on thoughtful orientation to catch the lower-angle sun in winter while blocking or shading the higher-angle sun in summer, along with appropriate glazing, shading devices, insulation, and materials that store heat when it’s sunny and release it when it’s cooler. The best answer describes this seasonal strategy: leveraging winter sun for warmth and shading the building from summer sun to prevent overheating. Other options miss the point: simply maximizing window area without shading increases cooling needs; minimizing thermal mass reduces the ability to store heat and stabilize temperatures; and removing insulation would make heat loss or gain much worse.