An overview of daylighting systems

doi:10.1016/S0038-092X(02)00036-1

Solar Energy

Volume 73, Issue 2, August 2002, Pages 77-82

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0038-092X(02)00036-1 Get rights and content

Abstract

For some time there has been the need to bring new technologies utilising daylight in buildings and to assess their performance for the benefit of those concerned with the building industry, particularly building design practitioners, lighting engineers, builders, product manufacturers, building owners and property managers. As there are many different systems with different purposes and abilities on the market, it is difficult to find the right one. An overview with division into main principles, illustrating sketches and short descriptions of the elements helps a lot to choose the right daylighting system for given conditions. More detailed descriptions can be found in the source book of IEA Task 21.

Section snippets

SYSTEM MATRIX FOR THE DIVISION AND DESCRIPTION OF DAYLIGHTING SYSTEMS

This system matrix divides the different daylighting systems into two basic principles. Systems are listed and an overview is given by the matrix. The main function of each system is shown in small sketches. The possibility of usage in certain climates is shown in the 3rd column. The attachment at the building is roughly described in ‘attachment’. People looking for a system with specific features can look up under the criteria for the choice of elements how the different systems behave

CONCLUSIONS

The huge number of different daylighting systems allows new and optimised ways of daylight utilisation. But at least it has to be considered that the different systems have to be used in the right way and that the used system is adjusted to the building and matches the requirements of lighting for this special purpose. Otherwise, problems like overheating of rooms or glare may occur which would lead to refusal of the daylighting system and to stopgap solutions bringing the elements to a

Acknowledgements

The research and development for new daylighting systems has been supported by the German Federal Ministry of Research and by the Ministry of Science of Nordrhein Westfalen (AG Solar) as well as by the glass and photo industry. Most of the work done for the division of the systems has been done in IEA Task 21, Daylight in Buildings.

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