Adaptive solar shading of buildings

Abstract

Adaptive solar shading systems have in comparison with the traditional systems of shading increased potential ability to improve the quality of the indoor environment and to increase the energy performance of buildings. Their extension allows all-around technological progress, but also the extensive application of large-scale glazing in building envelopes almost in all climatic regions. The literature review shows that the characteristics of the individual adaptive shading systems differ. Some have better performance in the sun protection or in improving the building's energy balance; others for example are better in glare elimination or in redistribution of daylight. The main purpose of this contribution is to provide a classification of the adaptive solar shading systems. In the article are compared merits and shortcomings of adaptive shading systems and are shortly analyzed assumptions of their wider application in central European climate conditions. Attention is also given to advantages and disadvantages, which brings the application of some kinds of adaptive solar shading systems. Several examples of adaptive shading systems are shown and briefly characterized.