Analysis and evaluation of passive solar application for mobile home manufactured housing

Abstract

Mobile homes, like other forms of factory-built housing are ideally adapted to the use of solar energy because of the materials and construction methods used in their manufacturing process. This thesis is written to examine those characteristics of mobile homes which can best be taken into consideration in the attempt to maximize solar efficiency and reduce energy waste. Design factors which effect the adaptation of solar energy to a typical MH unit include: solar access, types of of solar utilization, energy storage, lot orientation, general climatic relationships and MH park design. The paper will conclude with a case study involving the use of these factors in the design process of a MH project in Blacksburg, Virginia.