Solaveil™ Diffused Daylight Not Sunlight

Sun Shading - Basic Facts Solaveil™

Solar shading, or the process of controlling sunlight entering a Solaveil™ is a new innovative
building, can be accomplished through a number of different technology, with proven
methods. The techniques generally employed depend on the climate effectiveness at lowering the solar
and the intended use of the space. heat gain coefficient to reduce
cooling, while maintaining the
For instance, in climates with a high cooling load, sun entering the visual transmission of the glass
space (Solar Heat Gain) will significantly increase cooling energy
to capture daylight savings.
needs. In cooler climates, the excess heat from the sun may be
desirable at times, but glare and high contrast ratios may make it An integrated design balances
difficult for occupants to work efficiently. the cooling load of the window
against required day light
Unfortunately, all building shading systems still required the addition
illuminance levels, thereby
of internal window blinds to block low-angle sun.
capturing both cooling and
lighting energy savings without
creating discomfort.
Human Intervention
Solaveil™ is a Daylight Activated,
Building occupants seldom adjust their window blinds during the Variable Optical Element (VOE) in
course of the day; they tend to leave their blinds closed even when the form of an intelligent,
glare-free diffuse daylight could be admitted. nanostructured material consisting
of nanometre sized crystallites,
Window blinds are typically more than 50% closed at any time. primarily intended for use in
windows, vertical walls and
It might be expected that occupants would close blinds to exclude
skylights to enhance the
sunlight, and open them again under cloudy skies to admit more
daylight, but results show that occupants set their blinds to a daylighting performance of
position in which solar glare is sufficiently excluded under most sky a room and building.
conditions, and leave the blinds in that position for weeks, months or
even years. Solaveil™ allows some of the daylight incident on the surface to
pass through it undisturbed in the normal way, but intercepts the
Window blinds in an office building were monitored using majority and redirects it into the room in other directions.
photographs of the façade. The east, south and west facades had
an average of 50%, 66% and 62% occlusion respectively. The optical process involves, refraction and reflection, and is
extremely efficient, with virtually no daylight being rejected or
Between cloudy days and sunny days, these occlusions varied up or absorbed, and no chromatic aberration (colour fringing) is
down from the average by only 10%, 1% and 2% respectively. introduced into the processed daylight.

Daylight arriving from higher elevations, which is normally wasted

by falling on the floor just inside the window causing glare for
Single-pane of selective Tint Clear glass (85) those nearest the window, is intercepted and redirected deep
Low-e selective Tint (87) inside the room where the light is needed most.
SolaVeil sV0 (88)
This combination of reduced illumination levels near the window
and increased illumination elsewhere means that the room is much
2400 320
Cooling more evenly lit; further enhancing comfort for the occupants.

1800 240 Fans Moreover, the extra light directed to the back of the room is
Energy (MJ/m2-yr)

relayed there by the room’s normal light coloured ceiling and side
Peak (W/m2)

Lighting
1200 160 walls, making the additional illumination appear to come from a
Peak Energy generally overhead source, to the further benefit of the occupants’
600 80
feeling of wellbeing.

0 80 Solaveil™ Daylighting strategies can provide large reductions in

85 87 88 lighting and cooling related energy use, as well as improved
amenity, satisfaction, and occupant performance.

TM Head Office Telephone

Suite 8
CBTC2 Off Parkway
Capital Business Park
Cardiff, UK CF3 2PX
+44 (0) 2920 837 460
Facsimile
+44 (0) 2920 793 867
Email
info@solaveil.co.uk

www.solaveil.co.uk