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
Designing sustainability and performance into buildings
Specifying and selecting sustainable resilient timber products.
Modifying wood to improve resistance to decay and movement.
A last minute, long look for built environment professionals.
The architecture of creative reuse. Book review.
Installing solar panels on listed structures.
Sustainable development global goals, history in progress?
"Unless we act now, the 2030 Agenda will become an epitaph for a world that might have been."
Mike Kagioglou FCIOB named CIOB President
'Sustainable Development Goals must be focus for construction'
BSRIA training; a look at what's on offer
From energy management to compliance training.
TESP video warns to beware of rogue trainers.
Highlighting the slippery tactics of non-approved providers.
New Building Safety Wiki launched
Boosting awareness and understanding of the new fire safety regime.
New playbook on AI in construction published by CIOB
How to get to grips with, and the best from AI.
Digital Construction Report NBS
BIM, cloud, off-site, immersive tech, AI, twins and sustainability.
ECA learning zone and industry focus video series
From updates and amendments to circular economy, emergency lighting and much more.