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The paper analyzes the impact of switchable glazing: electrochromic (EC) and gasochromic (GC) on the energy efficiency of the building. Using the analytical and comparative method, the energy-relevant EC and GC glazing features were defined. Secondly, experimental studies on the energy-saving role of EC and GC glazing in various climatic zones were analyzed. The paper aims to define this role. The analyzes were referred to the thermal and lighting aspects. Comparisons were made between the EC and GC technologies, as well as with traditional - "static" types of glazing. The analysis showed differences in the technical characteristics of both technologies. Despite the differences, the results prove a beneficial effect of EC and GC glazing on the reduction of usable energy consumption in the building. The impact is most significant in terms of relieving the cooling and air conditioning systems. In this field, EC glazing was determined a more favorable technology. Further detailed research is required, focusing mainly on the lighting aspect for moderate and cold climate zones. The research was summarized with a collective evaluation of the energy-related role of EC and GC glazing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Extreme temperatures and radiation exposure may adversely affect playground use. • Natural and built shade is limited in public playgrounds. • Surface temperatures across playgrounds vary by material type and available shade. • Surface temperatures were moderated with natural surfacing materials. Outdoor recreational spaces for children are a highly valued aspect of society to support child well-being. However, there are many important health considerations, such as surface temperatures and ultraviolet radiation exposure that are neglected in traditional initiatives of playground safety, which may impact children's exposures during play. The present study provides an overview of a safety assessment of playgrounds in the United States, specifically investigating 103 public playgrounds for an applied understanding of the relationship of surface-to-air temperatures for installed surfacing materials, and the prevalence of shade during peak midday hours. Results demonstrate that natural surface materials resulted in moderated temperatures relative to ambient temperature, while artificial surfaces resulted in higher surface temperatures than ambient. Minimal shading was encountered, 67% of playgrounds visited were not shaded between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. This case study provides critical insight, discussion, and novel questions pertaining to the holistic consideration of numerous aspects of playground safety, which can mutually support social and ecological values while providing health co-benefits. Not only are important health risks, such as sunburns and temperature extremes ignored in current playground safety guidelines, but much of the essential information is not available to the end-users making design decisions that may affect the safety and active play experience for the users. Our results strongly motivate future large-scale studies assessing the influence of design on ambient exposures and the provision that bioclimatic principles and greenspace have a central role in playground design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • The impact of the urban context on buildings' solar energy potential was assessed. • 3D GIS was used to build a city block in Lisbon and surrounding urban context. • Three solar radiation tools associated with 2.5D and 3D approaches were used. • Influence of context size, relief, built surroundings and claddings were evaluated. • The mean effect of relief and built surroundings over the city block was about 30%. Abstract Buildings are responsible for 40% of energy consumption and 36% of CO ₂ emissions in the European Union. To bring these levels down, governments are striving to promote a more efficient use of energy resources and an increase adoption of renewable energy technologies, as photovoltaic panels and solar collectors on the building envelopes. To fully exploit the potential of these technologies, a detailed analysis of the incident solar radiation on buildings roofs and facades is mandatory taking into account the geographical and urban environments. Three solar radiation tools, in association with two different modelling approaches (2.5D and 3D) handled by a 3D GIS tool, were applied to a city block of downtown Lisbon for both the winter and summer solstices and for different levels of detail of the surrounding context. The study showed that both built surroundings and topographic relief have an important impact on solar potential of buildings in urban areas. An average difference of about 30% in the results was observed between the simulations with and without the geographical and the urban environments included. The study also showed that the 3D approach has high potential to fully evaluate solar access in complex urban layouts, for accounting the irradiation of all sun-exposed surfaces of the buildings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The radiant environment in open spaces is very sensitive to the surrounding built form, which determines their openness to the sky and exposure to the sun. This paper presents the analysis of 132 urban forms in London and Paris, two cities at similar geographical latitude, but of different urban geometry, focusing on the relationship between urban geometry and insolation of open spaces at neighbourhood scale. The method consists of three stages: (1) the geometric analysis of the urban forms, (2) their solar access analysis and (3) the statistical exploration of the results. Special emphasis is on the sky view factor (SVF), which is employed as an integrated geometry variable and environmental performance indicator. The comparative analysis of the two cities underlines the significance of urban layout for modifying the outdoor radiant environment, and reveals temporal characteristics of the relation between urban geometry and insolation of urban forms, induced by the varying solar geometry. Indicatively, the average mean ground SVF (mSVF) was found to be primarily affected by the quantitative characteristics of the open space, and able to predict average daytime insolation on March 21 and June 21 (R² > 0.8), in both cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the history of the shelters that have secured the public mural, America Tropical painted by David Alfaro Siqueiros, a Mexican painter. Topics discussed include the performance criteria and the design parameters required to construct the shelter as the mural needed to be protected from direct sunlight rain and vandalism, the design of the shelter which resembled the shape of a canopy without hindering public viewing of the mural, and the shelter has been effective in providing shelter to the mural.

Solar building envelopes are attracting increasing interest. Building-integrated solar thermal (BIST) systems are one of the subgroups of solar building envelopes. This paper summarizes the most important contributions of recent years and extends them. First, BIST elements are defined and available BIST elements are presented. Then, the general functions which BIST systems can provide are presented and the conflict between the constant U and g values of simple planning software and the variable g and U values of BIST elements is discussed. Measurements to characterize BIST elements are presented as well as a design parameter space in which the current BIST elements are located and which can be used when developing innovative new components. Methods to evaluate and compare BIST technologies are presented. The substantial cost savings which were achieved in three building projects between 2002 and 2009 are discussed. Roles within the building process are presented, as well as the general methods and challenges for economic BIST calculations and one economic calculation as an example. Based on existing building processes, a vision for future BIST building process integration is presented. Simple BIST models, which need no programming, are provided with easy-to-use equations. The challenges of standards and regulations are outlined and future research topics are presented. This paper summarizes important recent contributions to BIST research as a basis for future progress in building-integrated solar thermal systems. Instead of aiming to cover all recent BIST developments, the focus is on BIST research findings which are relevant for cost reduction of BIST components and therefore necessary for the economic success of BIST technology. These are discussed, together with proposals for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Byzantine Building Codes aimed at defining in a very precise manner the way in which settlements and towns were built within the boundaries of the Byzantine Empire. Consequently, they contained rules that defined the front, side and rear distances between buildings of different uses, the number and dimensions of the windows, the depth and distances of the projections, etc. Many of these limitations and rules were mainly derived from issues of sanitation, privacy and views. Nevertheless, in many parts of the Codes, there is reference to the achievement of acceptable daylighting and ventilation conditions. This primary aim of this paper is to investigate the bioclimatic performance of the built environment, which was shaped based on these building codes, in terms of insolation, shading and daylighting, as well as air circulation and ventilation. The findings of the study will provide information concerning the bioclimatic performance of both the urban open spaces and the interior living spaces of buildings in Byzantine towns and settlements, whose form derived from Byzantine Building Codes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a detailed method to develop cost-optimal studies for the energy renovation of residential buildings. A realistic characterization of the building has been introduced, using measurement and survey data. The method allows improving the interaction between the occupancy and the building, and the characterization of the real state of the construction. In addition, the building simulation includes vernacular strategies of the Mediterranean architecture, as for example the natural ventilation and the use of solar protection. The method presented takes part of an innovative approach: two-step evaluation considering thermal comfort, energy and economic criteria. The passive evaluation is the focus of the paper and evaluates the passive measures from an economic and thermal comfort point of view. This method prioritizes the passive measures rather than the active ones, considering the thermal comfort of the users as a criterion of decision. The paper shows the results of a multi-family building built in the years 1990–2007 and located in two climates C2 and B3 (Barcelona and Tarragona). The method provides technical and economic information about a set of passive energy efficiency measures, with the objective to help to make decisions for choosing the appropriate combination of passive measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Documenta Praehistorica is the property of Documenta Praehistorica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Bioclimatic architecture design is a connection to nature that requires accurate and concrete climate data of site. Meanwhile, the climate and environment conditions should be taken into account in order to help achieve the optimal energy efficient and thermal comfort inside. The purpose of the paper is to determine the adaptable strategies for Lhasa building design that through the simulate analyses, including temperature, relative humidity, solar radiation and air velocity. Moreover, the structure and materials of traditional dwellings will also be considered in the research. Finally, hoping that the research and exploration of this paper, providing reference to the design and analysis method for ecological building in Lhasa in the future, and other cities also can be used for reference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Building-integrated solar thermal systems (BIST) outperform building-added solar thermal systems (BAST) due to smaller heat losses at the back of the collector. BIST offer economic advantages, too. The insulation behind the collector can be used to reduce the heating demand of the building as well as to increase the solar thermal yield. Therefore, less material and labour are needed. Of course, the energy flux to the building interior needs to be considered. This energy flux depends in general on the operation of the collector as well as on the irradiance. Several innovative solar thermal building skins have been modelled in detail to analyze this coupling between the active building skin and the building. However, planners need an easy approach to include BIST into their calculations. Often, there is not enough budget to measure and model the new façade. This paper presents several new and simple models which are more accurate than neglecting the coupling to the building and which are less complex than detailed physical models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the impact of solar radiation on the uncoupled transient thermo-structural behavior of an arch dam was investigated under the earthquake loading. Temperature distribution within the dam body was determined by solving the governing differential equations taking into account the water and air temperature and the solar radiation. Finite element model of the dam-reservoir-foundation system including joint nonlinearity was excited using three-component ground motion. Results of the thermal transient analysis with and without solar radiation effects were used as an initial boundary condition for the seismic analysis. Results showed that considering solar radiation leads to non-uniform temperature distribution on the exposed faces and increasing the tensile stresses within the dam body. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantum dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs) have emerged as a promising solar architecture for next-generation solar cells. The QDSSCs exhibit a remarkably fast electron transfer from the quantum dot (QD) donor to the TiO2 acceptor with size quantization properties of QDs that allows for the modulation of band energies to control photoresponse and photoconversion efficiency of solar cells. To understand the mechanisms that underpin this rapid charge transfer, the electronic properties of CdSe and PbSe QDs with different sizes on the TiO2 substrate are simulated using a rigorous ab initio density functional method. This method capitalizes on localized orbital basis set, which is computationally less intensive. Quite intriguingly, a remarkable set of electron bridging states between QDs and TiO2 occurring via the strong bonding between the conduction bands of QDs and TiO2 is revealed. Such bridging states account for the fast adiabatic charge transfer from the QD donor to the TiO2 acceptor, and may be a general feature for strongly coupled donor/acceptor systems. All the QDs/TiO2 systems exhibit type II band alignments, with conduction band offsets that increase with the decrease in QD size. This facilitates the charge transfer from QDs donors to TiO2 acceptors and explains the dependence of the increased charge transfer rate with the decreased QD size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shadow Dispersion is the effect by which any opaque object’s shadow progressively becomes penumbra. This effect originates from a partial obstruction of the visibility of the solar disk. It allows diminishing solar gain in places where there is high radiation intensity, facilitating visual ergonomics and energy efficiency. Although architecture in the tropics offers a wide array of strategies for creating penumbras, i.e. , meshes, lattices, architectural fabrics, openwork walls and pergolas, there is no method for its design. Solar architecture literature simplifies the shadow projection phenomenon and always assumes sunrays as being parallel, but penumbra calculation does not allow for this simplification. In order to bridge this gap, calculating equations are deduced here and the tables needed to appraise suitable architectural areas not to block but soften sunlight are included. This paper defines the penumbra rate and shows its application on a building built in Medellin in 2006, designed for housing exhibitions of orchids, which depend on penumbra to survive. The work concludes by outlining the future possibilities of incorporating penumbra zones into the architectural design process. Other applications of the method are also mentioned. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports the results of research conducted in order to propose a system of lightweight sun protection devices that can be produced in Cuba and added to the facades of the buildings in order to reduce the heat load through the architectural envelope and the energy consumption. For this, a modular indoor air- conditioned space with three possible functions, of which the requirements were derived to satisfy the elements of sun protection design, was defined. Its performance in terms of reduced heat transfer and natural lighting inside was assessed using automated simulation with Ecotect V5. The application in a case study helped to show that the required investment for the solar protection of the building facade can be amortized in less than two years from reducing air conditioning load. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fractional photothermolysis (FP) induces discrete columns of photothermal damage in skin dermis, thereby promoting collagen regeneration. This technique has been widely used for treating wrinkles, sun damage, and scar. In this study, we evaluate the potential of multiphoton microscopy as a noninvasive imaging modality for the monitoring of skin rejuvenation following FP treatment. The dorsal skin of a nude mouse underwent FP treatment in order to induce microthermal zones (MTZs). We evaluated the effect of FP on skin remodeling at 7 and 14 days after treatment. Corresponding histology was performed for comparison. After 14 days of FP treatment at 10 mJ, the second harmonic generation signal recovered faster than the skin treated with 30 mJ, indicating a more rapid regeneration of dermal collagen at 10 mJ. Our results indicate that nonlinear optical microscopy is effective in detecting the damaged areas of MTZ and monitoring collagen regeneration following FP treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The elements of passive solar architecture are crucial for designing of low-energy and passive houses; moreover it might be surprising that some of the principles of passive solar architecture were applied in the functionalist Villa Tugendhat built in the year 1930, designed by the German architect Ludwig Miese van der Rohe and which belongs to the UNESCO World Heritage List. This case study attempts to point out the individual elements of solar architecture which were applied in the villa. In order to verify some of the statements/claims a numerical simulation of incident solar radiation (XSun) was performed in the Danish simulation software BSim. The paper includes a list of other timeless technical specifics, especially in terms of HVAC, which were used in the villa, and the authors have written about elsewhere (Villa Tugendhat - An Unique Air-conditioning System in Residential Hall CLIMA 2013. ISBN 978-80-260-4001-9). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within the acknowledging of the fact that the half of the resources of the earth is being utilized for construction purposes; in this dissertation, which aims to lower this rate for our country by raising the awareness of the society, it is asserted that the utilization of the solar energy, unlike the common belief, should be considered as a passive manner during the design phase, before utilizing it in an active manner and the types of utilization, in which the solar energy can be benefitted at its full, is further demonstrated. Within this context, the analyses of the solar energy systems were conducted, the variables according to the climate and building types were discussed and the current suggestions for the improvement were presented along with the relevant literature reviews and case studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The trajectories of dust particles ejected from a comet are affected by solar radiation pressure as a function of their ratios of radiation pressure cross section to mass. Therefore, a study of the orbital evolution of the particles caused by the radiation pressure reveals the physical properties of dust on the surface of the comet nucleus. In the course of NASA'sDeep Impact mission, the ejecta plume evolved under the influence of the radiation pressure. From the evolution and shape of the plume, we have succeeded in obtaining β ≈ 0.4, where β is the ratio of the radiation pressure to the solar gravity. Taking β ≈ 0.4 into account as well as the observational constraints of a high color temperature and a small silicate-feature strength, dust particles ejected from the surface of comet 9P/Tempel 1 are likely to be compact dust aggregates of sizes ≈20 μm (mass ∼10-8 g). This is comparable to the major dust on the surface of comet 1P/Halley (∼10 μm) inferred from in-situ measurements and theoretical considerations. Since such dust aggregates with β ≈ 0.4 must have survived jets due to ice sublimation on the surface, the temperature of ice in the nucleus must be kept below 145 K, which is much lower than the equilibrium temperature determined by solar irradiation and thermal emission. These facts indicate that 9P/Tempel 1 has a dust mantle composed of 20 μm-sized dust aggregates with low thermal conductivities ∼1 ergcm-1 K-1 s-1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In antiquity, people already knew the principles of solar architecture, designing their houses to the south to take advantage of the sun in all seasons. Today, solar architecture is undergoing a true revolution because of the development, among other things, of special facades involved in the processes of heating, ventilation, thermal isolation, shading, electricity generation and lighting of homes: these are called “solar facades”. This paper aims to review the remarkable developments that have occurred during the first decade of this century in this field. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The main cooling strategy in warm climates, as that of Cuba, is the solar control. However, the sun brake was in disuse, so glass windows without solar protection was increased and the costs of its affectations were ignored. The objectives of this paper are: to characterize the historical evolution of the use of brise-soleil as a shady resource and to obtain the designing angles for solar protection elements so that they can be more efficient and economic. Through virtual simulation (validated through a scale model experiment) the parameters proposed by the current rules and other national documents regarding the design of solar protection in architecture were checked. The criterion for a single type of solar protection element in the north and south facades in the city of Camaguey was changed. Besides, it was demonstrated that multiple elements are more efficient. On the other hand, optimized angles for the design of these elements were proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Energy audits of existing buildings require efficient devices and procedures to assess the solar potential through windows and building openings. The use of insolation is related to solar rights, solar gain, daylight potential and solar control. The methods described in the literature to assess insolation on windows require the geometric characterization of solar obstructions. In this paper we present a simple optical device which permits sky vaults that can be viewed from a central point of building openings to be characterized by means of photographs and image analysis. When these images are processed, it is possible to determine hours of solar insolation and characterize the obstruction angles, the sky opening indicator and the view factor indicator. The results of the proposed model are shown graphically in the form of stereographic, orthogonal, gnomonic, isoaire and cylindrical sun path projection diagrams. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Knowledge, regarding sun protection, is essential to change behaviour and to reduce sun exposure of patients at risk for skin cancer. Patient education regarding appropriate or sun protection measures, is a priority to reduce skin cancer incidence. The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge about sun protection and the recommendations given in a population of non-dermatologists physicians involved in the care of patients at high risk of skin cancer. This study is a cross-sectional study. Physicians were e-mailed an anonymous questionnaire evaluating the knowledge about risk factors for skin cancer, sun protection and about the role of the physician in providing sun protection recommendations. Of the responders, 71.4% considered that the risk of skin cancer of their patients was increased when compared with the general population. All the responders knew that UV-radiations can contribute to induce skin cancers and 71.4% of them declared having adequate knowledge about sun protection measures. A proportion of 64.2% of them declared that they were able to give sun protection advices: using sunscreens (97.8%), wearing covering clothes (95.5%), performing regular medical skin examination (91.1%), to avoid direct sunlight exposure (77.8%), avoiding outdoor activities in the hottest midday hours (73.3%) and practising progressive exposure (44.4%). Non-dermatologist physicians reported a correct knowledge of UV-induced skin cancer risk factors. The majority of responders displayed adequate knowledge of sun protection measures and declared providing patients with sun protection recommendation on a regular basis. Several errors persisted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Arquiteturarevista is the property of Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Abstract: Since the eighties of the 20th century, various types of linear glass rasters for architectural usage have been developed in the Czech Republic made by the continuous melting technology. The development was focused on two main groups of rasters – active rasters with linear Fresnel lenses in fixed installation and with movable photo-thermal and/or photo-thermal/photo-voltaic absorbers. The second group are passive rasters based on total reflection of rays on an optical prism. During the last years we have been working on their standardization, exact measuring of their optical and thermal-technical characteristics and on creation of a final product that could be applied in solar architecture. With the project supported by the Ministry of Environment of the Czech Republic we were able to build an experimental greenhouse using these active and passive optical glass rasters. The project followed the growing number of technical objectives. The concept of the greenhouse consisted of interdependence construction – structural design of the greenhouse with its technological equipment securing the required temperature and humidity conditions in the interior of the greenhouse. This article aims to show the merits of the proposed scheme and presents the results of the mathematical model in the TRNSYS environment through which we could predict the future energy balance carried out similar works, thus optimizing the investment and operating costs. In this article description of various technology applications for passive and active utilization of solar radiation is presented, as well as some results of short-term and long-term experiments, including evaluation of 1-year operation of the greenhouse from the energy and interior temperature viewpoints. A comparison of the calculated energy flows in the greenhouse to real measured values, for verification of the installed model is also involved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A new design of solar roof is presented. It is a roof-integrated solar collector that is configurable by water redistribution. This way, this active system can provide household heating and cooling. Its thermal performance and cost were studied. It is found that total cost is similar to standard roofs and significant energy savings could be achieved. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The modern built environment has been developed in a context of readily-available, low-cost energy from highly concentrated fossil fuels. Today's global energy landscape has dramatically changed; energy costs have become significant in the operation of buildings, and the sector uses a major portion of the global resources of fossil fuels. In recent years a major focus of green building development in North America and internationally has been on setting up sustainable energy practices for the built environment. This focus has advanced energy conservation and efficiency measures for buildings; on-site clean energy generation is now positioned as a critical next step in meeting increasing energy demands while enhancing the functionality and comfort of buildings. "Solar Architecture" as a green building concept addresses sustainable energy practices and the needs of the three major tiers of the built environment: community planning, existing buildings, and new construction. This article uses a case study of integrating renewable energy engineering into university campus energy planning to demonstrate some of the roles energy engineering plays in our built environment. As part of a master planning process for Dalhousie University, solar energy generation potential mapping and the SolarStarRating™ system were used to facilitate the integration of solar technologies into the community energy mix. The process identified the buildings most suited to retrofitting with solar technologies, and enabled the best opportunities to be investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The risk for skin cancer is increased among older males and outdoor workers who have high levels of ultraviolet (UV) exposure. This study was designed to examine the long-term efficacy of UV photography interventions on male outdoor workers, the potential mediators of its impact, and the efficacy of UV photography and skin cancer vs. aging information with this population. One hundred forty-eight male outdoor workers were randomly assigned to one of four intervention conditions or a control condition in a two by two plus one factorial design. The men in the intervention conditions received or did not receive a UV photo of their face and watched either a photoaging or skin cancer educational video. Participants completed pre-intervention, immediate post-intervention, and 2-month and 1-year follow-up assessments. Analysis of covariance and structural equation modeling revealed that participants in the UV photography and cancer information interventions reported higher levels of sun protection cognitions, which were significant partial mediators of increases in sun protection behaviors and decreases in skin color. This study provides evidence for effective sun protection interventions on male outdoor workers that may help reduce skin cancer risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Longan is one of the most widely cropped fruits in Northern Thailand, where a significant amount of the annual harvest is commercially dried and exported as a commodity. Liquefied petroleum gas is generally used as the energy source for heating the drying air, but concern is growing as fuel prices are expected to increase for the foreseeable future. Meanwhile, with the ample solar radiation in Thailand, the roofs of drying facilities could be adapted to serve as solar collectors to preheat the drying air, thus reducing the energy requirement from fossil fuels. In this study, a simulation program for a flat-plate solar air heater was used to estimate the potential to preheat drying air given the conditions of several longan drying facilities. Results showed that solar collectors can replace up to 19.6% of the thermal energy demand during the drying season. Bigger collectors and smaller air channels result in more useful heat, but attention has to be paid to costs and pressure drop, respectively. Annual monetary savings can reach up to THB 56,000 (≈US$ 1800 at US$ 1=THB 31). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A case study is presented with two objectives: (i) to give a clear and simple illustration of social multicriteria evaluation in the field of rural renewable-energy policy, and (ii) to help in understanding the extent to which, and the circumstances under which, solar energy is suitable for electrifying isolated farmhouses. Our aim is to provide public decision makers with insight into the conditions that favour the diffusion of renewable energy. This should facilitate the design of more effective energy policies for rural communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When it comes to making buildings energy efficient the use of light is fundamental to success. This paper deals with the manipulation of light that has always been fundamental to the architect. Past emphasis for the lighting engineer has been on artificial lighting, but nowadays both lighting engineers and architects are grappling with natural light as a passive solar energy saver. The challenge is to capture and use daylight, without glare and without subjecting interiors of buildings to solar overheating. The last condition does not mean that it should not also admit sunlight, especially when thermally advantageous, as a useful passive solar gain. Provided glare does not interfere with particular activities, dynamic patterns of sunlight and shade with buildings can be emotionally very satisfying - at least to the same extent as any artificially introduced lighting drama. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To investigate whether mandatory sun protection for outdoor workers in tropical regions is associated with reduced sun damage. Methods: Survey of 26 employees working under mandatory sun protection policy was compared to survey of 21 employees working under voluntary sun protection policy. Results: Voluntary sun protection associated with employees having more solar keratoses on dorsum of right hand (P = 0.006) and more previously excised self-reported skin cancers (P=0.008). Conclusions: Employees working under mandatory sun protection policy had reduced sun damage, a likely consequence of less sun exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A spectral optical transmission function τ(λ) for sun protection insulating glasses is proposed in order to reduce the solar energy load of a building’s interior and thus reducing overheating. τ(λ) is based on standard functions such as spectral distribution of solar radiation S λ (λ), spectral photopic luminous efficiency V(λ), standard illuminant D 65(λ), and the CIE color-matching functions . In the framework of the present approach an optimized spectral transmittance τ min(λ) with a minimal normalized solar energy load (i.e., solar direct transmittance normalized to light transmittance, τ e/τ v) has been obtained on the condition of color neutrality of the transmitted light. A comparison with the performance of actual commercial sun protection glasses on the market shows that the present model for an optimized spectral transmittance could reduce the solar energy load by roughly one third for equal light transmittance τ v. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

With the increasing use of simulation for building design, test reference years (TRYs) are required for energy analyses and design summer years (DSYs) for assessing natural ventilation in the summer. Previously TRYs and DSYs only existed for three sites in the UK. Also the data was derived from weather data up to 1995. More sites were required and also updated data, as a number of warm years had occurred after 1995. The opportunity was also taken to improve the derivation of the TRY using just the Finkelstein–Schafer statistic and also to improve the algorithm for smoothing between months. New programs had to be written for filling missing values in the lower-quality raw data. This paper describes these programmes, the quality assurance procedures and analyses the years produced. A comparison is made between the 14 sites demonstrating the link between dry bulb temperature, solar radiation and latitude. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Solar-reflective roofs stay cooler in the sun than solar-absorptive roofs. Such “cool” roofs achieve lower surface temperatures that reduce heat conduction into the building and the building''s cooling load. We monitored the effects of cool roofs on energy use and environmental parameters in six California buildings at three different sites: a retail store in Sacramento; an elementary school in San Marcos (near San Diego); and a four-building cold storage facility in Reedley (near Fresno). The latter included a cold storage building, a conditioning and fruit-palletizing area, a conditioned packing area, and two unconditioned packing areas. Results showed that installing a cool roof reduced the daily peak roof surface temperature of each building by 33–42K. In the retail store building in Sacramento, for the monitored period of 8 August–30 September 2002, the estimated savings in average air conditioning energy use was about 72Wh/m2/day (52%). On hot days when the afternoon temperature exceeded 38°C, the measured savings in average peak demand for peak hours (noon–5p.m.) was about 10W/m2 of conditioned area. In the school building in San Marcos, for the monitored period of 8 July–20 August 2002, the estimated savings in average air conditioning energy use was about 42–48Wh/m2/day (17–18%). On hot days, when the afternoon temperature exceeded 32°C, the measured savings in average peak demand for hours 10a.m.–4p.m. was about 5W/m2 of conditioned area. In the cold storage facility in Reedley, for the monitored period of 11 July–14 September 2002, and 11 July–18 August 2003, the estimated savings in average chiller energy use was about 57–81Wh/m2/day (3–4%). On hot days when the afternoon temperature exceeded 38°C, the measured savings in average peak-period demand (average cooling-power demand during peak demand hours, typically noon–6p.m.) was about 5–6W/m2 of conditioned area. Using the measured data and calibrated simulations, we estimated savings for similar buildings installing cool roofs in retrofit applications for all 16 California climate zones. For similar retail stores in climate zones 2 and 4–16, installing a cool roof can save about 6–15kWh/m2/year of conditioned area. In climate zones 2–16, estimates of average peak demand savings for hours noon–5p.m. range from 2.9 to 5.8W/m2. For similar school buildings in climate zones 2–16, installing a cool roof can save from 3 to 6kWh/m2/year of conditioned roof area. For all 16 climate zones estimates of average peak demand savings for hours noon–5p.m. range from 2.6 to 3.8W/m2. In similar cold storage buildings in all 16 climate zones, installing a cool roof can save about 4.5–7.4kWh/m2/year of conditioned roof area. In all 16 climate zones, estimates of average peak demand savings for hours noon–5p.m. range from 3.9 to 6.6W/m2. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this study, daily global radiation for Toledo (39°53′05″N, 4°02′58″W, Spain) were utilized to determine monthly-specific equations for estimating global solar radiation from sunshine hours and to obtain improved fits to monthly Angström–Prescott''s coefficients. Models were compared using the root mean square error (RMSE), the mean bias error (MBE) and the t-statistic. According to our results, all the models fitted the data adequately and can be used to estimate the specific monthly global solar radiation. Average RMSE and MBE for comparison between observed and estimated global radiation were 1.260 and -0.002MJm-2day-1, respectively. The t-statistic was used as the best indicator, this indicator depends on both, and is more effective for determining the model performance. The agreement between the estimated and the measured data were remarkable and the method was recommended for use in Toledo (Spain). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Double glazings combined with phase change materials (PCM) result in daylighting elements with promising properties. Light transmittances in the range of 0.4 can be achieved with such facade panels. Compared to a double glazing without PCM, a facade panel with PCM shows about 30% less heat losses in south oriented facades. Solar heat gains are also reduced by about 50%. This results in calculated Ueff-values of -0.3 to -0.5 W m-2 K-1, depending on PCM used. For an optimised panel, we calculated an Ueff-value of -0.6 W m-2 K-1. Although the Ueff-value of a double glazing is -0.8 W m-2 K-1, the PCM-systems may prove advantageous in lightweight constructed buildings due to their equalised energy balance during the course of day. Facade panels with PCM improve thermal comfort considerably in winter, especially during evenings. In summer, such systems show low heat gains, which reduces peak cooling loads during the day. Additional heat gains in the evening can be drawn off by night-time ventilation. If a PCM with a low melting temperature of up to 30 °C is used, thermal comfort in summer will also improve during the day, compared to a double glazing without or with inner sun protection. A homogeneous appearance of the PCM-systems is achievable by use of a concealment, like a screen-print glazing. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In hot climates, the improvement of comfort by passive solar techniques is a very important issue. In many parts of the world such as the Middle East, vault roofs are widely used in construction. The solar and energy performance of a hemispherical vault roof is studied, including the auto-shading instant effect during several days for different latitudes and throughout the year also. The results are compared with the standard horizontal flat roofing used in the typical modern low-cost housing in Mexico. The hemispherical vault receives around 35% less energy than the flat roof between the equinoxes, besides having other advantages such as a greater ceiling height, natural ventilation and illumination possibilities, and structural stability. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study is based on thermal performance analysis and evaluation of the National Observatory guesthouse with the software SUNCODE-PC. The study is unique owing to its high-altitude site (2465 m) in a remote area, harsh climate (with almost no data available), and functional restrictions of astronomical facilities. The design is thermally evaluated through different modes of application of insulation, materials, types of glazing, window/wall ratios, Trombe walls, winter night insulation, summer ventilation and shading. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The building of the Solar Energy Laboratory (LESO) of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology of Lausanne was erected in 1981 to allow “in situ” testing of experimental solar facades. In 1998, the building was the object of a significant restoration and a new southern facade was designed and built following the principles of sustainable development. This article describes the principles that guided this work, and presents the results obtained with regard to energy consumption, flow of matter, daylight, comfort and, lastly, a detailed life cycle assessment analysis: the various environmental impacts related to the construction, exploitation and maintenance of the facade are presented and discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Presents information on a study which dealt with designing solar buildings within given urban contexts. Dynamic approach to architecture; Means of control; Architectural diversity of functional bioclimatic solutions in urban design conditions; Daylighting of the offices of A. N. Tombazis and Associates.

Presents information on a study which determined the urban fabric by implementing a computerized model called Sustainable Architecture. Solar envelopes and solar volume; Different configurations for the urban fabric; Urban density and the buildings' height obtained in the simulation study; Conclusions.

Presents an article on the application of solar architecture in Japan. Design of solar houses; Implications of the depletion of oil to the global environment; Discussion on solar absorption cooling systems; Application of vernacular technologies of passive cooling to modern architecture; Balance between comfort and energy.