The major principle of Solar Heating and solar lighting is to build the structure in such a manner that the heat of the sun is trapped into these glass or plastic enclosed spaces which naturally  flow through the other parts keeping them warm.

The materials used are bricks or stone floors to store or hold the warm air in overnight. These are called passive Solar Heating systems, because they do not use devices or principles which involve active transfer of heat by use of oils, water or other fluids which high specific heat capacity. Solar Heating is a very viable option because the Earth receives almost 30,000 times greater solar energy annually than used in a developed country like the USA.