CLIMATOLOGY AND BUILT ENVIRONMENT

UNIT II
DESIGN OF SOLAR SHADING DEVICES
Movement of sun – Locating the position of sun – Sun path diagram –
Overhead period–Solar shading–Shadow angles –
Design of appropriate shading devices
Understanding solar geometry is essential in order to:
- orient buildings properly
- do passive building design (for heating and cooling)
- understand seasonal changes in the building and its
surroundings
- design shading devices
The rotation of the earth about the sun is affects the amount of solar
radiation we receive at varying times of the year.
The sun’s position on the sky hemisphere can be specified by two angles:
Solar altitude angle
The vertical angle at the point of observation between the horizon plane
and the line connecting the sun with the observer
Solar azimuth angle
The angle at the point of observation
measured on a horizontal plane
between the northerly direction
and a point on the horizon circle,
where it is intersected by the arc
of a vertical circle, going through
the zenith and the sun’s position.
North - 0 or 360 deg.
East - 90 deg.
South -180 deg.
West -270 deg.
Solar Angles
Solar Altitude: β (beta)
Describe the sun
position relative to
a vertical surface

Vertical angle to
sun position
Solar Azimuth: Φ (phi)

Horizontal bearing angle

from south
Surface Azimuth: Ψ (psi)
Surface horizontal bearing
angle from south
Surface Solar Azimuth: γ (gamma)
Angle between solar
and surface azimuths
Solar Angles

Describe the sun

position relative to a
vertical surface
Sun path refers to the apparent significant seasonal-and-hourly positional
changes of the sun as the Earth rotates, and orbits around the sun.

The relative position of the sun is a major factor in the heat gain of
buildings and in the performance of solar energy systems.

Accurate location-specific knowledge of sun path and climatic conditions is

essential for economic decisions about solar collector area, orientation,
landscaping, summer shading, and the cost-effective use of solar trackers
 SHADING
• When ambient temperatures are within or above the comfort zone, any
ingress of solar radiation will contribute to discomfort. Shading design
prevents this.
• Shading windows from solar heat gain is a key design strategy for passive
cooling and to reduce cooling loads on active HVAC systems
• The performance of shading devices is specified by two angles the
horizontal and vertical shadow angles.
• These are measured from a line perpendicular to the elevation and indicate
the limit beyond which the sun would be excluded but within which the sun
would reach the point considered.
 SHADING
• The horizontal shadow angle
characterises a vertical shading
device and it is the difference
between the solar azimuth
and wall azimuth.

• The vertical shadow angle

characterises a horizontal
shading device, eg. a long
horizontal projection from the
wall and it is measured on a vertical plane normal to the elevation.
Surrounding buildings affect the view from the site to the sky.
 SHADING DEVICES
External Shading devices

• Vertical devices

• Horizontal devices

• Egg crate devices

 SHADING
• Vertical devices consist of louvre blades or projecting fins in a vertical
position.
• Their performance will be measured by a horizontal shadow angle.
• This type is most effective when the sun is to one side of the elevation,
eastern or western elevation.

Keio University Graduate School Research Center

SHADING
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• Horizontal devices may be canopies,
• Overhangs, horizontal louvre blades
or externally applied venetian blinds
• Their performace is measured by a
vertical shadow angle
• This is most effective whe the sun is
opposite to the buiding face considered
and at a high angle, such as for north
and south facing walls.
• To exclude a low angle sun, this type
of device would have to cover the window completely, permitting a view
downwards only.
 SHADING
•
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• Horizontal louvres
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• Egg crate devices are combinations of horizontal and vertical elements.
• These can be effective for any orientation depending on the detail
dimensions.
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• `
SHADING DEVICES