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Solar Design

Solar Design

The control of solar radiation is an important part of any building design. In hot climates it represents one of the most significant sources of potential summer heat gains. Even in a relatively cold climate, direct solar radiation can be a source of extreme local discomfort. However, it also represents one of the most important sources of sustainable heating energy that we have at our disposal as designers. Additionally, the luminous efficacy of the diffuse sky makes daylight still the most efficient form of interior lighting. Thus it is critical that building designers fully understand the often difficult balance between controlling solar gains in summer and promoting them in winter whilst maintaining views and maximising daylight.

Fundamentals

Solar Position

  • Date and Time
    • Julian Centuries
    • The Standard Year
  • Geographic Position
    • Latitude and Longitude
    • Time Zone
  • Declination
  • Equation of Time
  • Local and Solar Time
  • Sunrise, Sunset and Daylength
  • Twilight Times
  • Calculator

The Earth-Sun Relationship

  • Earth’s Orbit
  • Summer and Winter Solstices
  • Spring and Autumn Equinoxes
  • Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn
  • Arctic and Antarctic Circles
  • The Equator

Sun Path Diagrams

  • Sun Path Projections
    • Orthographic Diagram
    • Polar Diagrams
  • Sun Path Components
    • Sun Position
      • Azimuth and Altitude
    • Daily Sun-Path
    • Analemma Lines
    • Month Lines

Solar Geometry

  • The Earth-Sun Relationship
    • The Earth’s Orbit
    • Geographic Position
      • Latitude and Longitude
      • Time Zone
    • Solstices and Equinoxes
    • Key Latitude Lines
      • The Equator
      • Tropic of Cancer
      • Tropic of Capricorn
      • Antarctic Circle
      • Arctic Circle
  • Sun Path Diagrams
    • Sun Path Projections
    • Sun Path Components
      • Azimuth and Altitude
      • Date and Time Lines

Shadow Projection

  • Shadow Projection
  • Shadow Angles
    • Horizontal Shadow Angle
    • Vertical Shadow Angle
  • Shading Device Design

Shading Masks

  • Shading Masks
  • Partial Shading
  • Sky Subdivision
  • Incidence Effects
  • Solar Metrics
    • Percentage in Shade
    • Sky Factors and Components
    • Vertical Sky Component
    • Sunlight Hours

Solar Radiation

  • Solar Spectrum
  • Incident Solar Radiation
  • Solar Absorption
  • Solar Transmittance
    • Refractive Index
  • Solar

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© 2016 Dr. Andrew Marsh. Some rights reserved.