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    Planning For Solar Access

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    jelena.savic.gaf

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    Planning For Solar Access

    Uploaded by

    jelena.savic.gaf
    5 views4 pages

    Original Title

    Planning for Solar Access

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    5 views4 pages

    Planning For Solar Access

    Uploaded by

    jelena.savic.gaf

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
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    Planning for Solar Access

    Master planning of an area or region is an ideal opportunity to provide solar access. Planning for solar
    access at the largest scale can very simplify the design for natural light at the building scale.

    Topography may be used to provide shade or access sunlight. When properly oriented and
    located, circulation patterns can provide solar access between building and masses.
    In urban design; large buildings often shade close by buildings or
    themselves. This can be an asset when cool courtyards are created or a
    liability when dark, huge urban streets are created. Zoning codes in
    many urban areas include daylight or solar access requirements to
    regulate building massing. Codes that specify access to daylight
    enhance views of the sky, whereas codes that specify access to
    sunlight must consider temporal orientation and sun angles.

    Solar envelopes

    Solar envelopes are three dimensional design tools used to maximize the buildable volume on particular site, while
    preserving access to sunlight for close by buildings. The basic elements used to design a solar envelope are: latitude, size,
    orientation and topography of the site; times of day solar access is desired and impact of shading on the site.
    Building orientation

    Planning for solar access includes more than direct solar access and shading. Urban planning e
    appropriate building orientation (typically elongated on the east-west axis) and thereby facilitate use
    of direct sunlight, shading and sunlight reflected from nearby ground and buildings.

    Building orientation facilitates the use of natural light in buildings. Building orientation is critical for
    shading and redirecting sunlight, but less for non-directional daylight.

    Long axis running North-South

    Buildings oriented with the long axis running-north south usually have greatest exposure to the
    morning sun. The east and west facades receive more light during the summer than during the winter.
    Because of low -angle sunlight orientations it is hard to shade direct sunlight without also blocking
    the view. Openings on the east and west sides of buildings are less preferred for illumination,
    especially side lighting. However, toplighting with this orientation can give the best constancy of
    daylighting through the day.
    Long axis running East-West

    Buildings oriented with the long axis running east-west usually have greatest exposure to southern
    sunlight. This is generally the preferred building orientation. High summer sun has greatest impact on
    the roof and horizontal surfaces. The north-south faces are the easiest to shade, often by a simple
    device. The effects of the orientation are greatest at the northern latitudes where sun angle is lower.
    The higher-angle sunlight entering the openings on the north and south facades illuminates the
    horizontal surfaces well.

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