Energy efficient buildings supplied by renewable energy sources are the key to reduce today´s dependency on fossil fuels and associated CO₂ emissions. To achieve efficiency goals, buildings need to use passive and low-energy resources such as solar gains, daylight, natural ventilation or geothermal heat exchange as intelligently as possible in combination with insulation and storage mass concepts. Dense urban areas influence the energy performance of individual buildings and provide further challenges for passive solar energy use. 

Exploiting solar and geothermal resources to cover the building energy demand, this reference provides detailed insight into the design and physics of energy efficient buildings and renewable supply systems. It discusses the theoretical background of solar thermal cooling and heating, of photovoltaics and geothermal energy, and provides information on applications and costs. Many examples help to apply the theory to real practical applications, enabling the reader to gain an in-depth knowledge of today´s new energy systems and building concepts.

Key Features: 

• Includes general introductory sections for each technology with market potential and applications
• Considers a broad range of alternative renewable energy supplies relevant to the building sector, such as solar photovoltaics, solar thermal and low depth geothermal energy
• Provides detailed physical models of all technologies and example calculations
• Supports understanding with coverage of the fundamentals of meteorological modelling
• Addresses an increasingly important component of energy courses

This invaluable reference has been developed for mechanical and building services engineers, civil engineers, building physicists, electrical engineers, researchers and lecturers. It will also be of interest to architects with an interest in energy efficiency and graduate and senior undergraduate students in engineering, building science and building physics.