Heating, lighting and ventilation systems

A novel solar heat and light control device is described for controlling the amount of solar heat and light entering an enclosed structure and for minimizing the amount of interior heat loss from the structure. The device comprises a first plurality of vertically-oriented transparent substantially flat members which are mounted with a second plurality of horizontally-oriented reflective members on the enclosed structure so as to form a "staircase" construction so that incoming solar radiation, the direction of which varies according to the altitude and azimuth of the sun, is transmitted through the vertical members when the sun is at average winter altitudes and reflected when the sun is at average summer altitudes. The control device is preferably mounted between transparent planar panel assemblies. Novel heat storing means as well as an improved ventilation system useful with the solar heat and light control device are also disclosed.