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Box 9 Solar Core
The proposed Solar Core is an example of a design concept that would enable existing homes
or apartments to be heated, cooled and ventilated with passive solar energy.
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It works by col-
lecting the solar heat in the attic at the top of a dwelling, storing it in the centre of the structure
(in a converted central fireplace or hall closet space). A rock storage container would stabilize
the internal building temperature by slow radiation. The hot and cool air can also be distributed
as heating and cooling. The Solar Core is essentially a ‘solar chimney’ (which draws hot air out
of the house through a chimney-type structure) combined with a vertical, centrally-located
thermal storage container. A frame of, say, galvanized fencing and wire could hold the rocks or
used bricks in place in a central closet. This would avoid the disruption of building a masonry
structure in an existing home and ensure both adjustability and reversibility.
In winter, the hot air collected in an attic space or collector can be delivered, aided by a solar
fan, to the base of the Solar Core through pipes. This hot air heats the thermal mass of rocks
as it rises. In summer, cool air can be drawn from below the house, or pool on the shady side
in the case of slab-on-ground construction. This would cool the rocks and drive unwanted
heat out through the solar chimney. Most heating and cooling would come through slow
radiation from the Solar Core. A large surface area generally provides higher comfort levels
than a small source (like an electric space heater or air conditioner). Vents and/or fans to the
adjacent rooms could aid the circulation of conditioned air.
Using the Solar Core, almost any home could become solar heated and cooled, which, along
with solar hot water systems, could eliminate most fossil fuel use (apart from other appliances).
Sun-facing windows are not necessary, as any roof could work if not overshadowed by other
buildings or tall trees. Where there is not much solar access, a glazed, airtight dormer window
or black box amplifier on the roof could be added to collect hot air in winter and to expel hot
air in summer (with appropriate attention to insulation and draught-proofing). Where a second
floor unit is added, the two dwellings could have adjacent but separate stacks for individual
control, but shared thermal mass, or as required to meet code requirements. Where adding an
upper unit is prohibited by fire codes, a table-like structure could be constructed to support
the new dwelling. The Solar Core could be used with other building configurations such as
townhouse or duplex structures (modified to suit structural and firewall provisions).
Allowing the addition of second floor units would provide an investment incentive to encour
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age higher density and suburban solarization. Unlike the conventional consolidation approach,
which either bulldozes existing dwellings or fills in open space, eco-retrofitting with a Solar
Core could achieve many simultaneous goals. It would:
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Increase the resource autonomy of the housing stock
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Reduce fossil fuel dependency, and therefore increase ‘natural security’
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Cost-effectively reduce greenhouse emissions, waste, resource use and energy
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Upgrade the housing stock without the demolition of existing homes
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Increase density and reduce sprawl, without additional demand on infrastructure
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Provide a positive incentive for homeowners or developers to add dwelling units
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Improve ecological and human health while generating economic growth
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Create more employment, skilled jobs and training in low-cost, constructive work
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Preserve choice in housing arrangements without disrupting existing communities
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Be compatible with any building style, as the roof can be modified
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Reward good design, as only ecologically responsible dwellings would be permitted
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Avoid local conflict caused by current approaches to urban infill development
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Foster the transition to a solar economy
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