Passive solar design makes use of the sun's light and heat without the use photovoltaic panels, active pumps, or other energy consuming devices. Specific techniques and technologies include skylights, sunlight shelves, suntubes, shutters, overhangs, window tintings, and walls and floors containing high thermal mass. Passive solar design requires whole-systems thinking about the shape of the building, its location and surroundings, the opportunities for incorporating daylighting strategies, the placement of windows, and the thermal and light-emitting properties of the materials used.

  Passive Solar Strategies

Some passive systems use a very small amount of conventional energy to control dampers, shutters, night insulation, and other devices that enhance solar energy collection, storage, and use.