Solar PV - Solar PV Louvres - Solar PV Sun Shades

External sun shades are an effective method of controlling the internal climate of a building. Glass louvres that incorporate Solar PV thin film convert the sun's energy into electricity

Solar PV Louvres - Working with the Sun

The contribution of the sun to a building’s internal heating is called 'solar heat gain'. A fundamental principle of passive solar design is to maximise the solar heat gain in winter and minimise it in the summer.

Solar PV Louvres - Passive Solar Design

In low energy buildings, south facing windows act as energy absorbers. The building can be designed to enable all the solar heat energy to be distributed from the south facade.

Problems can arise in the summer when the building overheats and becomes uncomfortable. High solar heat gain will increase the demand for air conditioning and therefore increase the building’s energy requirement.

Solar PV Louvres - Prevent Overheating

The latest version of Part L (Conservation of Fuel and Power) requires designers to reduce solar heat gain employing preventative measures like sun shades. The aim is to counter excessive internal temperature rise in summer and to reduce or eliminate the need for air conditioning.

Solar PV with Glass Louvres

Typically, sun shades can take the form of a fixed or controlled glass louvre system. They can be installed either vertically or horizontally on the facade of a building. Such systems can, reduce solar heat gain, lower air conditioning costs and lessen glare, while maximising the use of natural light. Solar PV Cells can be integrated into the glass louvres in order to generate electricity at the same time as providing shading to the building.

Solar PV Louvres - Construction

The principal support and control components are manufactured from aluminium and stainless steel. The louvre panels are constructed from toughened glass with the edges treated to remove stress. Glass thicknesses are usually between 8mm and 16mm maximum. The glass specification will be purpose designed to suit each application, taking into account the project's aesthetic and performance requirements.

Solar PV Louvres - Integrated in the Glass

Solar PV thin film cells are integrated into the glass, either laminated onto the reverse side of the glass panels or sandwiched between two sheets of a safety glass.

Solar PV Louvres - Manual and Automatic Operation

Solar PV Louvres can be operated manually or electronically using linear actuators. There are also self powered systems, with a thermal hydraulic controller, which operate autonomously and require no other source of power than the sun. In the winter, the Solar PV Louvres ensure that the building benefits from the sun's heat during the day but they can be closed at night to reduce heat loss.

Solar PV thin film sun shade systems offer designers the opportunity for distinctive architectural impact, the reduction of solar heat gain and the generation of electricity

 

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