Introduction

Solar Building Design Training Course is designed to focus on sustainable architecture, energy-efficient construction, and solar-integrated building systems. With the global shift toward net-zero energy buildings, green infrastructure, and carbon-neutral cities, this training equips learners with the essential skills to design and implement high-performance solar-powered structures. The course blends architectural design principles, photovoltaic (PV) system integration, passive solar strategies, and smart energy management systems to create future-ready professionals in the green building industry.

As climate change accelerates and energy costs rise, the demand for experts in solar architecture, green building certification (LEED, BREEAM), renewable energy engineering, and sustainable urban development continues to grow. This program provides hands-on expertise in solar orientation, building energy simulation, daylight optimization, and smart grid connectivity, enabling participants to contribute to low-carbon cities and energy-positive buildings. It is designed for engineers, architects, and sustainability professionals aiming to lead the global transition toward clean energy building design and climate-resilient infrastructure.

Programme Curriculum

Solar Building Design Training Course

Introduction

Course Duration

10 days

Course Objectives

Master Solar Passive Design Principles for Buildings
Understand Photovoltaic (PV) System Integration in Architecture
Develop skills in Net Zero Energy Building (NZEB) Design
Apply Green Building Certification Standards (LEED/BREEAM)
Learn Climate Responsive Architecture Techniques
Optimize Building Energy Efficiency & Thermal Performance
Design with Daylight Harvesting & Natural Ventilation Systems
Implement Smart Energy Management Systems in Buildings
Conduct Solar Irradiation & Site Analysis Studies
Integrate Renewable Energy Systems in Urban Planning
Use Building Information Modeling (BIM) for Solar Design
Apply Carbon Footprint Reduction Strategies in Construction
Design Sustainable Smart Cities with Solar Infrastructure

Target Audience

Architects & Architectural Designers
Civil & Structural Engineers
Electrical & Energy Engineers
Urban Planners & City Developers
Sustainability & ESG Consultants
Construction Project Managers
Renewable Energy Professionals
Students in Architecture, Engineering & Environmental Sciences

Course Modules

Module 1: Fundamentals of Solar Architecture

Solar geometry & building orientation
Climate-responsive design basics
Solar path analysis techniques
Passive heating & cooling principles
Case Study: Solar passive homes in Germany reducing 60% energy use

Module 2: Solar Energy Systems in Buildings

PV systems overview
Grid-tied vs off-grid systems
Solar panel efficiency factors
Energy storage integration
Case Study: Tesla Solar Roof installations in California homes

Module 3: Net Zero Energy Building Design

NZEB concepts & standards
Energy balance calculations
Renewable integration strategies
Building envelope optimization
Case Study: Bullitt Center (Seattle – world’s greenest commercial building)

Module 4: Passive Solar Design Strategies

Thermal mass utilization
Natural ventilation design
Shading devices & insulation
Orientation optimization
Case Study: Indian vernacular passive cooling architecture

Module 5: Green Building Certification Systems

LEED certification levels
BREEAM standards overview
EDGE certification basics
Compliance documentation
Case Study: LEED Platinum Bank of America Tower (NYC)

Module 6: Building Energy Simulation Tools

Energy modeling software (EnergyPlus, DesignBuilder)
Load calculations
Simulation accuracy techniques
Optimization workflows
Case Study: Dubai sustainable skyscraper simulations

Module 7: Solar Site Analysis & Mapping

Solar radiation analysis
GIS integration for solar planning
Shadow impact studies
Terrain-based design adaptation
Case Study: Solar farm planning in Spain

Module 8: Smart Building Technologies

IoT in building energy systems
Smart meters & automation
AI-based energy optimization
Real-time monitoring systems
Case Study: Singapore smart eco-buildings

Module 9: Sustainable Materials in Solar Design

Low-carbon construction materials
Thermal insulation materials
Recycled & eco-friendly materials
Embodied energy assessment
Case Study: EcoBrick housing projects in Africa

Module 10: Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV)

BIPV system design
Façade-integrated solar panels
Roofing integration techniques
Electrical connectivity systems
Case Study: Swiss BIPV commercial buildings

Module 11: Urban Solar Planning

Solar zoning regulations
Smart city energy planning
District energy systems
Public infrastructure integration
Case Study: Masdar City (UAE sustainable city model)

Module 12: Energy Storage & Hybrid Systems

Battery storage technologies
Hybrid renewable systems
Load balancing strategies
Backup energy systems
Case Study: Microgrid systems in rural India

Module 13: Climate Adaptation in Building Design

Climate risk assessment
Heat island effect reduction
Flood-resilient architecture
Adaptive design frameworks
Case Study: Netherlands floating houses

Module 14: Solar Retrofit & Building Upgrades

Retrofitting old buildings
Energy efficiency upgrades
Solar panel retrofitting methods
Cost-benefit analysis
Case Study: European residential retrofit programs

Module 15: Capstone Project – Solar Smart Building Design

End-to-end solar building design
Energy modeling & simulation
Sustainable architectural planning
Presentation & evaluation
Case Study: Student-designed net-zero prototype buildings

Training Methodology

This course employs a participatory and hands-on approach to ensure practical learning, including:

Interactive lectures and presentations.
Group discussions and brainstorming sessions.
Hands-on exercises using real-world datasets.
Role-playing and scenario-based simulations.
Analysis of case studies to bridge theory and practice.
Peer-to-peer learning and networking.
Expert-led Q&A sessions.
Continuous feedback and personalized guidance.

Register as a group from 3 participants for a Discount

Send us an email: info@fineskilltrainingcenter.org or call +254769199797

Certification

Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with a globally- recognized certificate.

Tailor-Made Course

We also offer tailor-made courses based on your needs.

Key Notes

a. The participant must be conversant with English.

b. Upon completion of training the participant will be issued with an Authorized Training Certificate

c. Course duration is flexible and the contents can be modified to fit any number of days.

d. The course fee includes facilitation training materials, 2 coffee breaks, buffet lunch and A Certificate upon successful completion of Training.

e. One-year post-training support Consultation and Coaching provided after the course.

f. Payment should be done at least a week before commence of the training, to Fineskill Training Center account, as indicated in the invoice so as to enable us prepare better for you.

Skills & Software Covered

Solar design Energy efficiency Passive cooling System optimization

Programme Fee

Duration: 10 Days

Method: Online or Physical

Online Price: $2,000

Physical Price: $3,000

Certification: Accredited Certificate

View Available Dates 📄 Download Course Outline (PDF)

Available Sessions

Location

Month

Year

Oct 19 2026

19 Oct — 30 Oct 2026

💻 Online / Virtual session

Online $2,000