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What is 'Solar Radiation' and What is it's Connection To Designing a Comfortable Dwelling?

When it comes to designing buildings that harness solar radiation, one important factor to consider is the impact on thermal comfort. While solar radiation can provide renewable energy and daylighting benefits, it can also create overheating and glare issues for occupants, especially during summer months and in hot climates.

It's important to understand that solar radiation is transmitted in different ways such as:


- Diffuse solar radiation: sunlight scattered in different directions from clouds

- Beam solar radiation: direct and focused sunlight straight into the dwelling

- Reflected solar radiation: sunlight bounced off a surface


To balance the potential benefits and challenges of solar radiation on building surfaces, designers and engineers need to employ various strategies that optimize both energy efficiency and thermal comfort. Some of these strategies include:


Orientation and shading: By orienting buildings and their fenestration systems to maximize shading from solar radiation, designers can reduce the amount of direct sunlight entering the building and minimize the heat gain. This can be achieved through various shading devices, such as overhangs, louvers, and blinds, as well as through landscaping and vegetation.


Insulation and ventilation: By using appropriate insulation materials and techniques, designers can reduce heat transfer through building envelopes and maintain stable indoor temperatures. Additionally, by providing natural or mechanical ventilation systems, designers can improve air quality, reduce humidity levels, and increase occupant comfort.


Materials and finishes: By selecting materials and finishes that reflect or absorb solar radiation, designers can influence the amount of heat gain and glare in different areas of the building. For example, light-colored roofs and walls will reflect more solar radiation, while darker colors will absorb more. Similarly, matte finishes can reduce glare, while glossy finishes can increase it.


By considering the complex relationship between solar radiation, energy performance, and thermal comfort, we can create buildings that are not only sustainable and efficient, but also comfortable and healthy for occupants.



Whatever the location of the dwelling, from Perth to Adelaide, Melbourne to Brisbane, even Sydney to Canberra, the solar radiation has a different effect on the dwelling depending on the climate as well as the orientation to the sun. BASIX and NatHERS certificates are great was to achieve thermal comfort throughout Australia.


If you have any questions on the effect of solar radiation on a dwelling, please don't hesitate to contact us here.



Solar Radiation

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