Solar Energy History in Greece - the Ancient World Uses the Sun

Solar energy history in Greece began when the nearby forests were depleted and wood became scarce and expensive. The ancient Greeks did not have heating or cooling systems in their homes or buildings; they relied mostly on portable charcoal braziers for heating and the breeze and shade for cooling. They used wood as fuel for cooking and for heating.

The use of wood as fuel resulted in massive wood shortages as the forests were ravaged near Greek population centers.

Fourth century B.C. Athens banned the use of olive tree wood for the making of charcoal. By the fifth century B.C. oak wood, used for charcoal, had been depleted more than ten miles from Athens.

In response to the wood shortages, wood was imported from across Asia Minor, which is modern day Turkey, to the Black Sea. As a result, prices for wood rose to relatively high levels.

The Greeks turned to the alternative choice for fuel - the Sun. The wood shortages in Greece caused the use of solar energy to be used in homes and other buildings.

[graphic] A few unique situations have been discovered where the entire town was moved and the archaeological evidence shows that the new town was designed and built with a solar oriented layout. The Greeks took advantage of solar design when faced with fuel crisis allowing them to conserve wood and coal - and save money.

Excavations show that Greeks built their houses so that the winter sunlight could enter the house through a south facing portico like a covered porch.

[graphic] In the summer the overhanging eaves shaded the rooms of the house from the Sun during the day. The Greeks had no glass so the rooms and the entrances were open, unless closed by wood doors or shutters.

These were the simple, basic principles of Ancient Greek architecture:

Streets laid out in orthogonal fashion aligned with points on a compass.

Whenever possible house plans resembled Olynthian homes in that principal apartments were built on the north side of a courtyard that opened up to the south.

Few window opening to the north, east and west walls, large wood-lattice windows covered by translucent rice paper or silk were common on the south.

Decorative overhangs protected the interior from the hot summer sun.

[grpahic] Several examples of solar energy history in Greece follow. Olynthus is an excellent example of solar energy history in Greece. Priene - a solar designed town in modern day Turkey.

Delos - an important trading center on the Aegean.