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Title: The design and evaluation of three advanced daylighting systems: Light shelves, light pipes and skylights

Conference ·
OSTI ID:10179463

We present results from the design and evaluation of three advanced daylighting systems: a light shelf, a light pipe, and a skylight. These systems use optical films and an optimized geometry to passively intercept and redirect sunlight further into the building. The objectives of these designs are to increase daylighting illuminance levels at distances of 4.6-9.1 m (15--30 ft) from the window, and to improve the uniformity of the daylight distribution and the luminance gradient across the room under variable sun and sky conditions throughout the year. The designs were developed through a series of computer-assisted ray-tracing studies, photometric measurements, and observations using physical scale models. Comprehensive sets of laboratory measurements in combination with analytical routines were then used to simulate daylight performance for any solar position. Results show increased daylight levels and an improved luminance gradient throughout the year -- indicating that lighting energy consumption and cooling energy due of lighting can be substantially reduced with improvements to visual comfort. Future development of the designs may further improve the daylighting performance of these systems.

Research Organization:
Lawrence Berkeley Lab., CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE, Washington, DC (United States); California Inst. for Energy Efficiency, Berkeley, CA (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
AC03-76SF00098
OSTI ID:
10179463
Report Number(s):
LBL-34458; CONF-9406134-4; ON: DE94018194; IN: DA-323
Resource Relation:
Conference: SOLAR `94: American Solar Energy Society conference,San Jose, CA (United States),25-30 Jun 1994; Other Information: PBD: Mar 1994
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English