The handbook consists of three major sections, as well as a glossary, bibliography, and index. Following the general introduction is an excellent introduction to passive solar fundamentals and basic passive systems. A prominent revision is the addition of a section on software for energy analysis. The following four chapters explain the four basic passive system types. Each chapter gives an overview of the system discussed, followed by construction details and case studies.
Illustrations are extensive, and are of a great help in interpreting the principles of design.
A major improvement of this edition is that the size of the book is larger, allowing for larger, clearer illustrations than in the previous edition. Construction details are general, in part because regional considerations make the provision of such details difficult and in part because the details are presented well elsewhere. An extensive bibliography points the reader to detailed sources on construction and design. Although case studies deal with residential buildings, the authors make it clear that the concepts presented can be adapted to other types of structures. The handbook concludes with a discussion of materials used in passive construction, and specified in the previous chapters.