What is the most suitable location for a house to minimize solar gain?

The choice of placing a house at the top of a south-facing slope is appropriate for minimizing solar gain due to the prevailing path of sunlight and the angle at which it strikes the ground. Sunlight in the northern hemisphere typically moves from east to west across the sky, with its apex in the southern part of the sky. Consequently, a house located at the top of a south-facing slope would receive more direct sunlight during the day, not less.

However, the strategic orientation and elevation of the house can create shadowing effects and take advantage of the natural landscape. In contrast, a house positioned on a north-facing slope is less exposed to direct sunlight throughout the day, effectively minimizing solar gain. This placement allows the structure to be shaded by the slope’s contour, thus receiving limited solar radiation.

Further, the other options do not effectively orient the home to mitigate solar gain. A house at the bottom of a slope may be more susceptible to shaded areas but could still receive significant indirect solar radiation. A house on flat terrain would not benefit from the same topographic advantages for shading that a slope would provide, resulting in increased exposure to direct sunlight during the day.

Choosing the right site and orientation is crucial in building design to control solar gain and enhance