SOLAR SHADING,SHADOW

ANGLES
UNIT 2
shading
Shading of the building and outdoor spaces reduces
summer temperatures, improves comfort and saves
energy. Shading can block up to 90% of heat from the
sun. The most common method of shading walls in our houses
is the use of eaves. Summer sun access must be prevented or
controlled in summer with maximum access in winter.
Understanding the changes in vertical angles of the sun during
the summer and winter months will assist in the design of
minimum energy load on buildings.
General guidelines for all climates
use external shading
use plants to shade building

SHADING
north orientation
deep verandahs or pergolas
protect skylights
advanced glazing solutions such as solar films and tinted
glass
Glasshouse Effect
Radiant heat (short wave radiation) from the sun
passes through the glass and is absorbed by building
elements and contents.
This heat is re-radiated as long wave radiation that
isn't transmitted through glass and is trapped inside.
If solar access is maximised in winter the interior of the
house is warmed during the day and the requirement for
heating at night is reduced.

SHADING
 Fixed shading devices can regulate solar
access on northern elevations throughout the
year.
 Rule of thumb for calculating eaves width for
latitudes south of and including 27.5S (Brisbane)
eg if H = 1200mm eaves needs to be 540, if H =
2100 eaves = 945mm

SHADING
SHADING
Awnings and
pergolas need to
extend beyond
the width of the
north facing
window opening
by the same
distance as the
projection
SHADING
 Fixed horizontal
louvres set to the
midwinter sun angle and
spaced correctly allow full
winter heating and total
summer shading
 Midwinter angle for
Brisbane is 38 deg.
 Adjustable shading for
the east and west
elevations is useful as the
low sun angle makes
SHADING
fixed shading impractical.
 Passivesolar heating is the least
expensive way to heat your home. It is also
free when designed into a new building
achievable using all types of construction
appropriate for all climates where heating is
required

PASSIVE SOLAR HEATING

Passive solar heating requires application of the
following passive design principles
northerly orientation of daytime living areas
appropriate areas of glass on northern
facades
passive shading of glass
thermal mass for storing heat
insulation and draught sealing
floor plan zoning based on heating needs
advanced glazing solutions

PASSIVE SOLAR HEATING

passive design relies on greenhouse
principles to trap solar radiation
heat is gained when short wave radiation
passes through glass
heat is absorbed by building elements
and furniture
heat is re-radiated as longwave radiation

PASSIVE SOLAR PRINCIPLES

PASSIVE SOLAR HEAT
 solaraccess control with louvres
 Sun and breeze control using louvred pergola
on north elevation.
SOLAR ACCESS CONTROL
 With
correct angle and offset
of blades in the solar
pergola winter sun at a
lower angle can penetrate
into the building.
 Fixed horizontal louvres
set to the midwinter sun
angle and spaced
correctly allow full winter
heating. Midwinter
angle for Brisbane is
FIXED LOUVRES
38 deg.
Aim of passive design is to
minimize heat load in summer
optimize sun trapping in winter
You need to evaluate your building in terms of:
extent to which the building is self shading
penetration of sunlight into rooms through windows / doors on N, E,
W walls
influence of shadows cast by adjacent buildings
effect of shading devices to windows and doors
To find the angle at which the sun affects a building you need
latitude of city or town (Brisbane 27.5deg S)
the day of the year (23 Sept)
time of day
orientation of building

SUN ANGLES
 horizontal sun angle
Is the angle, in plan,
between the suns rays
and the normal (rt angle)
to the wall. It is defined
by the radial line on the
protractor
that intersects the lines
denoting date and
time of day

SUN ANGLE
 vertical sun angle
Is the angle in section or
elevation between the
suns rays and the
horizontal. It is defined by
the curved line on the
protractor that intersects
the date and time of day

SUN ANGLE