Structural solar collector assembly

A method of minimizing or maximizing collection of solar gain, regulating light transmission and heat loss or gain in a building by the use of a structural support assembly comprising:

• Forming a support system adapted to be interconnected with other structural members to form a building with the system including a truss having opposing side walls and a base;
• forming at least a portion of the side walls of transparent material;
• locating a solar collector assembly adjacent to one of the side walls, preferably one to be at a generally southern exposure in northern latitudes and vice versa in southern latitudes when incorporated in a building and in position to maximize solar gain;
• positioning and insulating/reflecting panel adjacent the other of the side walls, preferably one to be at a generally northern exposure in northern latitudes and vice versa in southern latitudes when incorporated in a building, and adjusting the insulating/reflecting panel to regulate the light received and heat loss or gain through the other side;
• and
• the assembly being adapted to be mounted to adjacent building structural members and incorporated therewith to form the building support structure.