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After the Westinghouse Electric Corporation made a comprehensive analysis of the technical, economic, social, environmental, and institutional factors affecting the feasibility of utilizing solar energy for heating and cooling buildings, it determined that solar heating and cooling systems can become competitive in most regions of the country in the 1985-90 period. Heating-only systems can be competitive in the 1975-80 period in limited regions of the country. Impressive progress has recently been made in solar collectors, but further reduction in costs is necessary to capture a large market. Five regions of the country containing more than 75 percent of the country's population have been identified as the market for solar systems. Retrofit of solar systems to existing structures is not economically attractive for residential buildings but can be applied to larger buildings. The amount of fossil fuel that can be saved by use of solar energy will build up slowly and could reach 50 million barrels of oil per year by 1990. In the next century, sales of solar systems could approach $10 billion. A proof-of-concept experiment spanning a 3-year period involving 300 single-family residences and 25 large buildings, and requiring $26 million is recommended. (Author)

The purpose of this study was to establish the technical and economic feasibility of using solar energy for the heating and cooling of buildings and to provide baseline information for the widespread application of solar energy. The initial step in this program was a study of the technical, economic, societal, legal, and environmental factors involved with solar energy and the identification of barrier problems in its use and of potential solutions to these problems. The study also includes definitions and plans for proof-of-concept experiments. (Author/MLF)

The purpose of this study was to establish the technical and economic feasibility of using solar energy for the heating and cooling of buildings. Five selected building types in 14 selected cities were used to determine loads for space heating, space cooling and dehumidification, and domestic service hot water heating. Relying on existing and proven solar and conventional climatic control hardware, three references designs were selected for detailed cost evaluation in each of the 14 cities and five building types. Mathematical models were constructed of the reference systems. A computer simulation of the reference systems with specified inputs to the program determined the overall system performance. A series of computer programs determined system cost and percent solar utilization for each of the reference systems. The market penetration analysis was integrated into the cost programs. The social impact of solar energy was assessed by a random telephone survey in three cities. Environmental and economic impact forecasts are calculated. Three proof-of-concept experiments were recommended. Phase 1 and 2 development plans were prepared, and a utilization plan for implementation and commercialization of solar energy systems was prepared. (Author/MLF)

The use of solar heating and cooling for buildings as a method of conserving fossil fuels is discussed. The residential and commercial end use consumption of energy is tabulated. A survey to project the energy requirements for home and industry heating and cooling is developed. The survey indicates that there is a market potential for solar heating and cooling of buildings. A prediction of three to five billion dollars per year as the potential for solar heating and cooling is made.

The NASA Lewis Research Center plans to carry out a major role in the ERDA Solar Heating and Cooling Program. This role would be to create and test the enabling technology for future solar heating, cooling, and combined heating/cooling systems. The major objectives of the project are to achieve reduction in solar energy system costs, while maintaining adequate performance, reliability, life, and maintenance characteristics. The project approach is to move progressively through component, subsystem, and then system technology advancement phases in parallel with continuing manufacturing cost assessment studies. This approach will be accomplished principally by contract with industry to develop advanced components and subsystems. This advanced hardware will be tested to establish 'technology readiness' both under controlled laboratory conditions and under real sun conditions.

NASA is planning to construct and operate a solar heating and cooling system in conjunction with a new office building being constructed at Langley Research Center. The technology support for this project will be provided by a solar energy program underway at NASA's Lewis Research Center. The solar program at Lewis includes: testing of solar collectors with a solar simulator, outdoor testing of collectors, property measurements of selective and nonselective coatings for solar collectors, and a solar model-systems test loop. NASA-Lewis has been assisting the National Science Foundation and now the Energy Research and Development Administration in planning and executing a national wind energy program. The areas of the wind energy program that are being conducted by Lewis include: design and operation of a 100 kW experimental wind generator, industry-designed and user-operated wind generators in the range of 50 to 3000 kW, and supporting research and technology for large wind energy systems. An overview of these activities is provided.

Suitable approaches for evaluating the performance and the cost of a solar heating and cooling system are considered, taking into account the value of a computer simulation concerning the entire system in connection with the large number of parameters involved. Operational relations concerning the collector efficiency in the case of a new improved collector and a reference collector are presented in a graph. Total costs for solar and conventional heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems as a function of time are shown in another graph.

The types of solar energy heating and cooling equipment for use with buildings are discussed. The steps from manufacturing to equipment installation are identified. A feasibility study for the use of solar energy was conducted. The study determined the technical, environmental, economic, sociological, political, and strategic aspects of solar heating and cooling.