Why do we need solar shading?
The amount of light and solar heat entering a building has a considerable effect on the energy needs of a building being able to control it is key to saving energy. Improving the daylight and energy efficiency management of existing buildings and for optimising the low-energy designs of new buildings is paramount in today’s environment.
Solar shading is often under utilised even though its effectiveness has been proven time and time again. Using the technology will dramatically reduce the amount of energy a building consumes but will also improve the thermal and visual comfort of occupants.
There are other factors to consider, for example glazing, window frames, walls, doors ceilings and of course floors. What springs to mind when people discuss how to save energy is adding more insulation however few think of shading devices as acting as insulation to the glazing.
The ability to adjust these devices means we can maximise the solar heat gains in the winter, so reduce the heating loads, and minimise heat gains in the summer to reduce cooling loads. To see more detailed information you could visit ES-SDA the European Solar Shading Database.