Fragmented Light Shelf, a modular element that decreases the energy consumption

Abstract

[ES] Some studies have shown that well-designed solar shading can reduce the thermal load on a building in the range of around 15% to 30%. Furthermore, it can help to maintain a more stable and comfortable indoor temperature, reducing the use of heating and cooling systems in the range of around 10% to 20%. If this device/element/system also improves natural light and reduces the need for artificial lighting in a building by up to 20% to 40% (depending on the design of the building and the amount of sunlight available), the associated energy savings with electric lighting is quite significant. Overall, successful implementation of solar shading can lead to an overall improvement in the building's energy efficiency, which could result in total energy savings of 20% to 40% or even more in some cases. This is the continuation of the research carried out in the PhD work, called Fragmented Light Shelf (FLS), in which the operation of FLS was studied through scale models (in real conditions), and then with computer programs (with models characterized according to real conditions). Placing it in the window hole, facing south, at 2 p.m. on June 21st for Madrid. With this study, it was possible to demonstrate that FLS worked properly as a sun protection element/system, since it achieves the perfect balance between solar gains + daylight improvement (in winter) and sun protection + without losing daylighting (in summer). This article aims to show how the incorporation of this modular element in a space/building, could significantly decrease the energy consumption in buildings, and consequently reduce the carbon footprint.