What is a Solar StaircaseTM?
The Solar StaircaseTM is a passive solar collector installed on roof glazing with a southern exposure.  Norman Saunders of Weston, MA invented the Solar StaircaseTM in the early 80's. The original application was on the Cambridge School of Weston's cafeteria in Weston, MA. The Solar StaircaseTM has a weather skin of single layer glass built into the host structures roof system.  Immediately under the glass weather skin is a series of reflective steps (either 2 sided mirrors, specular aluminum, or reflective mylar) that create a staircase effect. Inboard of the steps are multiple layers of insulated glazing material. The steps perform 2 functions.  In the summer, the sunlight (high in the summer sky) is reflected directly out of the weather skin to prevent over-heating.  In the winter, the light (read heat) that is reflected off of the		inner glazing's surface is then reflected back into the living space. Carl and Bruce have used an assortment of different materials for the inner glazing.  In an application where aesthetics are not a concern (e.g. a heat storage area), they have used multiple layers of Buterate.  (Buterate is the same material commonly used in blister packaging.) Although this is  a cost effective way to create an insulated appeture, the bagging of the Buterate lacks aesthetic appeal. In an application over a living space, Carl and Bruce would prefer to use hermetically  sealed insulating glass.  This glass can be built up in multiple layers, or glass with a low E (emulsifying) film and argon gas can be used to achieve the desired insulation levels.