Solar Energy History in China Follows Similar Patterns as Ancient Greece

We have evidence of solar energy history in China during ancient times using the example of the T'ang dynasty capital city of Ch'ang-an. The entire capital was built on a rectangular grid pattern aligned north-south.

Archeological discoveries show that the streets of other important cities were laid out in similar ways taking advantage of solar orientation for greater comfort and efficiency.

Houses is in China were built with solar energy in mind with apartments built on the north side but that opened up to a courtyard on the south side of the building facing the sun. The north, east and west walls were mostly solid with few openings.

The south, sun-facing walls were often built with large wooden lattices that may have been covered by rice paper or silk that allowed the heat from sunlight to pass through to the living area behind. Ornate overhangs over the south facing openings protected the south-facing rooms by shading the hotter summer sun.

Solar energy design and use in China precedes the use of solar power in Japan since the Chinese brought many solar concepts to Japan in the 7th century.

Photos, drawings and examples of solar energy and solar power use in ancient and modern China are forthcoming.