The Natural Philosopher wrote:
wrote:

Passive solar gain comes at the price of winter
heat loss, or high dg/tg install cost, and large areas of glass are
needed to get good gain. But the prime problem is poor control.
External panels are easy to control, their output can be switched on or
off at any time, simply by powering a fan or dampers. but not really
with building windows.

Wrong.

Its a curious thing that the lowest cost best payer version of solar
power is so little known.


Yup. Its called a south facing picture window and plenty of thermal mass
with heavy lined curtains that are drawn at night. Or in fact on hot
summer days.

Its attractive, effective, and the control is so simple even my wife can
do it.

I prefer a system that controls itself thermostatically, and where one
doesnt need to close the curtains during much of the summer days to
control it. But you can have your prefered system if you want.

Before you say overhangs, there are many locations where they cant be
installed, and when they are theyre not thermostatic..


NT