Design and control of building-integrated solar energy utilization systems - AchievingNet-Zero building energy consumption in Canada

This paper describes major elements of the design of three low-energy solar homes in Canada. Two of these are part of a demonstration program. The major features of the houses are: 1. direct gain passive solar design that emphasizes utilization of distributed thermal mass in the south-facing part of the ground floor; 2. a building-integrated photovoltaic-thermal (BIPV/T) system; 3. a two-stage ground-source heat pump with ECM (electronically commutated motor) fan used to heat/cool air in the house or an air source heat pump using BIPV/T air as the source to heat a storage tank; 4. a floor heating system integrated in the floor mass of the direct gain zone; 5. a multizone programmable thermostat. Emphasis was placed on architectural and aesthetic integration of the BIPV system and utilization of heat recovered from the roof.