“Passive House Design” and “Passive Solar Design” are two terms bandied about. However to the lay person it can be difficult to under what these terms actually mean, or to distinguish what the different between them.
PASSIVE SOLAR DESIGN
PASSIVE HOUSE DESIGN
As a reference the following link on the SEAI (Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland) provides some detail to assist you:
http://www.seai.ie/Renewables/Renewable_Energy_for_the_Homeowner/
Passive House Standard offers quality construction, unparalleled levels of comfort, superior air quality, lasting energy savings, user-friendly operation as well as increased structural longevity and integrity.
A Passive House building’s low energy consumption is also the very reason why the remaining demand, either entirely or to a large extent, can be covered by renewable energy alone.