Solar shading
Solar radiation can be useful in providing natural light and heat for buildings, reducing the need for artificial lighting or heating. This can reduce energy use and so emissions. However, excessive solar radiation can result in overheating, which may need to be countered with energy-intensive cooling, or can cause glare, a form of visual discomfort experienced when lighting is excessively bright.
Part L of the UK building regulations places restrictions on the amount of glazing that can be used in buildings.
Solar shading, is a form of solar control that can be used to optimise the amount of solar heat gain and visible light that is admitted into a building. This can have a significant impact on the energy use of a building as well as on the thermal and visual comfort of occupants, protecting against overheating and glare on hot or sunny days. It can also provide privacy.
Solar shading can be fixed or moveable (dynamic).
Fixed solar shading can be provided by:
- Canopies.
- Overhanging eaves or balconies.
- Trees and other vegetation.
- External louvres or brise soleil.
- Light shelves.
- Canopies and awnings.
- Solar control glazing.
Dynamic solar shading can be provided by:
- Internal blinds.
- Curtains.
- Internal or external shutters.
- External roller blinds.
- Other adjustable shading devices that respond to conditions.
Under cloudy conditions, moveable shading can be retracted to allow daylight and useful solar gain to enter the buildings, reducing dependence on electric lighting and heating.
However, The way these systems are controlled can have a significant impact on building energy efficiency and on occupant comfort and wellbeing. Incorrect operation can lead to overheating and glare, or can result in a building being shaded when it does not need to be.
Dynamic solar shading can be operated manually by chords, chains and crank handles, or it can be motorised, either hard wired, battery operated or solar powered. This can make control easier and safer and can allow automation, either by timer or in response to actual conditions.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Angular selective shading systems.
- Automated blinds.
- Blinds.
- BREEAM Visual comfort Glare control.
- Brise soleil.
- Control of solar shading IP 4 17.
- Daylight lighting systems.
- Exterior shutters.
- Glare.
- Louvre (or louver).
- Retrofitting solar shading.
- Solar gain.
- Solar shading of buildings BR 364.
- Solar thermal panels.
- The daylight factor.
- Thermal comfort.
- Urban heat island effect.
- When hospital buildings aren’t healthy.
- Wind Resistance for External Blinds.
Featured articles and news
Myths and top tips.
CLC plans to ease impact of construction inflation.
BG 50 & VDI 2035 – your questions answered.
Types of domestic heating systems.
Will the way we heat homes change when winter comes ?
Extended reality in a post-pandemic world.
Can XR technology be leveraged in design & construction?
Or are you capping.
STEM ambassadors needed for ICE CityZen award.
Digital gaming competition for UK students aged 16 to 18.
Heritage protection in England vs Australia.
Fire doors and the Fire Door Inspection Scheme.
Three-quarters of fire doors fail inspections
UN International Day for Biological Diversity, May 22.
The role of geoparks, biospheres and world heritage sites.
BSRIA conference 2022, June 23.
Just one month to go ! Find out more here.
Restoring Broadbent’s Bath House
A new gallery for the University of Huddersfield.
Corruption in the construction industry.
What will it take to stop it ?
To celebrate world bee day 2022 !
Just one month until the changes to part L come into effect.
Not forgetting part F and the new part overheating part O.
Heat Pump demand rises by one quarter.
As energy prices jump up in cost.
With people in the UK from Ukraine.
Industry leader Steve Murray takes on role.
An abundant and versatile building material.
How overheating complicates ending gas in the UK.
600,000 heat pump installations targeted per year by 2028.
Cost planning, control and related articles on DB.
Helping prevent those unwanted outcomes.