These guidelines are largely based on talks given and materials published by Dr. J. Douglas Balcomb, formerly the head of passive solar research at Los Alamos National Laboratory, currently with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado. Dr. Balcomb is credited with playing a major role establishing the scientific reputation of passive solar design over the past three decades, and developing many analytical tools for passive design. This compilation of guidelines began after Dr. Balcomb lectured on passive solar design in Los Alamos following the Cerro Grande Fire, at the invitation of Ben Luce, and with support from the Waste Technology and Management Division at Los Alamos National Laboratory. NMSEA would also like to thank passive solar specialists Don Neeper, Karlis Viceps, Mark Chalom and Anne Dunning for extensive discussions that influenced this document. Specific information on window ratings was derived from Carmody, Selkowitz, and Heschong, 1996 (see the references). The section on "Variations: Straw Bale and Adobe Construction" is based on discussions with New Mexico designer/builder Tony Perry and architect/builder Mark Chalom, who specialize in these particular approaches, respectively.