Passive Solar

NMSEA has deep roots in the “passive solar” approach to harnessing the sun’s energy. Some of our past & current members have been recognized as Passive Solar Pioneers by the American Solar Energy Society. In fact, as of 2013, ASES has made 32 Passive Solar Pioneer Awards – and 10 of them were to New Mexicans who were affiliated with NMSEA:

2012 Mark Chalom, New Mexico and Edna Shaviv, Israel
2008 David Wright, Grass Valley, California
1998 Bill and Susan Yanda, New Mexico
1995 Anne Dunning, New Mexico
1994 Edward Mazria, New Mexico
1991 Native Americans (esp in NM at Chaco Canyon & in the Four Corners area at Mesa Verde)
1989 Steve Baer, Zomeworks Corp, New Mexico
1985 Jeffrey Cook, Arizona State University
1984 J. Douglas Balcomb, Los Alamos National Laboratory, New Mexico
1983 Peter Van Dresser, New Mexico

Passive Solar can be described as “making direct use of the Sun’s energy” by employing the most straightforward, economical & practical method possible. “Elegant simplicity” is a passive solar design objective. But “elegant simplicity” doesn’t just happen. It requires a sophisticated understanding of the physics of energy, an appreciation of the local energy resources & requirements, and a broad set of practical skills honed by experience.

Most often associated with Architecture and New Mexico’s classic “Passive Solar Adobe” designs, the passive solar approach encompasses almost every area of solar-centric design including solar hot water, daylighting, greenhouses & PV trackers.