Thank you for the ideas - I will look at this solution with my designer.

As far as passive solar in Oregon goes - Oregon as a great climate for passive solar design.  Average winter temps rarely go below freezing, and our site has great southern exposure with shade in the west.  Spring and fall tend to be the problems, we can get pretty hot and sunny fall weather, and we'll need to find a way to keep sunlight out on those days, or we will cook!