Passive solar windows

Passive solar windows, that not only capture the suns energy, they store it as well. The windows shown in my previous video (sorry for the poor lighting) discribes the windows and gives some detail about how this window system is constructed and purpose behind it. The clip below shows how the windows are performing and how we are measuring the performance. Everyone that has had the opportunity to see this window is amazed that it contains 4" of water you are looking through along with 4 panes of glass. The optical clearity and beauty of the design is truly amazing. It is not often in passive solar design that we can incorporate such beauty with function, while making an architectural statement. The window shown is the first prototype of the window to leave the testing facility, were it as been under developement for several years. The design is still being worked on, as this system was installed several lessons were learned and the developer will continue to work out the details of the product. As a prototype, most the parts of the system were made by hand and the cost to do this would be very expensive. Through the testing of this window and hopefully other test sites, this product will continue to develop to point at which it will be ready for market. It is my hope that this will happen quickly, as the potential of the product to change the way that people look at passive solar energy, while saving hundreds if not thousands in energy cost along the way. I'll post more as the testing continues over the next year or more. We are installing a data logging system to keep track of the performance of the windows and that information will be posted when it is available.

Solar on Tom

Thermal Mass Windows

So, this is just my personal opinion, so take it as you may. The window system shown on the video has the potential to revolutionize passive solar design. Many water window systems have been built over the years, some with great success while others had limited results. None of the systems I have seen have had the features designed into this product. The ability to integrate this into existing homes, commercial buildings and new construction, with the appearance of beautiful window. If I didn't tell there was water in it you most likely wouldn't know it. The optical clarity of the window is astounding given that there are 4 panes of glass along with 4" of water within it. The tinting of the window is designed that the water captures a large portion of the solar energy, while reducing the glare and UV rays harmful to interior finishes and furniture. The exterior shades, not yet installed are designed to control the energy at any given time of the day, month or year. They will be motorized and controlled by a room thermostat to prevent overheating of the system, with the ability to change the room temperature with the simple setting of a thermostat. Although with the motorized shading, this is not a true passive solar system, I think it is the best of both worlds. A great mix of simple thermal mass, solar control, and beauty make this a truly revolutionary innovation in solar design. stay tuned I will be posting more videos demonstrating the performance of the system as the home is constructed, hopefully with some better lighting. When this video was shot it was raining outside. We had rain every day for the 9 days prior to the open house, some with a lot, some with a little.

But, when the day of the solar tour was held last Saturday the sun shined, although it was cold the window system heated up to 84 degrees F, the room temperature within the house was 65 degrees F, as we still have no other windows or doors on the house. The water continued to warm over the day and as the temperature dropped late in the afternoon you could feel the radiant heat coming off of the window. I don't know about you, but when the sun isn't shining and the temperature is 60 degrees, I have never felt a warm window that you could actually see through.

This product is patented by Wendell Colson

Thanks Tom Pittsley
ecobuilder@aol.com
www.eebt.org