Arkansas Solar Retrofit Guide. Greenhouses, Air Heaters and Water Heaters.

Solar retrofits are devices of structures designed to be attached to existing buildings to augment their existing heating sources with solar energy. An investigation of how solar retrofits should be designed to suit the climate and resources of Arkansas is the subject of this report. Following an introduction (section 1), section 2 focuses on solar greenhouses. Topics discussed include the nature of solar greenhouses, site requirements and costs, sun motion and orientation, greenhouse-house connection, glazing, heat storage, winter/summer temperature control, greenhouse gardening, and construction notes. Case studies are also provided. Section 3 focuses on the fundamentals of solar air heaters, including modular solar air heaters, performance, and design methods. Section 4, focusing on batch solar water heaters, includes an introduction, brief history, design, performance, and limitations. Appendices include a glossary, references for solar greenhouses, air heaters and water heaters, lists of solar periodicals and solar information sources, and solar radiation data (including maps for each month, evaluation of solar radiation maps, and such technical information as tilt factors for various regions of Arkansas). (Author/JN)