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Shading windows (reducing of the impact of solar radiation)

by Piotr Matczak, Darryn McEvoy, Ilona Banaszak, Adam Chorynski

[other options]

What:
Solar blinds and shutters traditionally contribute to reduce the energy demand of buildings in summertime, by avoiding superfluous solar heat gains, they reduce the cooling energy demand. Sun-shading systems have to provide thermal and visual comfort both reliably and economically. Several types of blinds are available, with automatic or semi-automatic control systems. The use of semi-transparent photovoltaic modules within commercial atria can replace traditional shading solutions.
Extreme event: Heat waves
Type of option: Soft engineering
Risk management: Preparedness
Sector: Buildings and construction; Urban planning and design
Landscape type: Urban
Location: Australia; Austria; Belgium; Bulgaria; China; Cyprus; Czech Republic; Denmark; Estonia; Finland; France; Germany; Greece; Hungary; Ireland; Italy; Latvia; Lithuania; Luxembourg; Malta; Poland; Portugal; Romania; Slovakia; Slovenia; Spain; Sweden; The Netherlands; United Kingdom; United States; other
Why:
Drivers of change: Socio-economic: Discomfort in working places and public buildings.


Policy: Regulations on working conditions.
How and who:
Implementation: Local (basically a building level).

Institutional context: Building standards are important to the option.
Potential barriers: For automatic shading-device controllers user preferences concerning the blind position are crucial. Preferences about visual comfort and energy efficiency have to be integrated.
Implications for sustainable development:
Implications for sustainable development: Option reduces energy consumption.
Options improves comfort of life, modifies visual comfort by changing illuminance levels in rooms. Visual comfort and energy efficiency have to be compromised.
Option saves energy through reduction of cooling demand.
Semi-transparent photovoltaic module (use for shading) compared to standard double glazing, comes at a cost premium. To justify such an application there must be significant added value in the photovoltaic solution.
Resources:
Learning
and
knowledge transfer:
http://www.ebd.lth.se/fileadmin/energi_byggnadsdesign/images
/Publikationer/Inlag3049-1.pdf
http://www.jp-associates.co.uk/publications/Shading-Guidance-Notes.pdf
http://www.yourhome.gov.au/technical/pubs/fs44.pdf
Evaluation: Natural cooling by shading is a good option for warm periods of summer, but long lasting extremely heat waves force usage of additional cooling.
Shading devices for windows reduce access of daylight. The compromise between natural lighting and thermal comfort is necessary.
Semi-transparent photovoltaic modules used for the atrium roofs have multiple benefits, such as electricity generation, solar shading, environmental and technology statements, enhanced comfort and prestige of an office workspace. Added value factors can justify its application cost.
Scientific references:
Guillemin, A., S. Molteni (2002). An energy-efficient controller for shading devices self-adapting to the user wishes, Building and Environment, Volume 37, Issue 11: 1091-1097.

James, P.A.B., M.F. Jentsch, A.S. Bahaj (2009) Quantifying the added value of BiPV as a shading solution in atria, Solar Energy, Volume 83, Issue 2: 220-231.

Pfafferott, J., S. Herkel, D.E. Kalz, A. Zeuschner (2007). Comparison of low-energy office buildings in summer using different thermal comfort criteria, Energy and Buildings, Volume 39, Issue 7: 750-757.
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