Why dynamic solar shading?

]>

Energy-efficiency for buildings: it is a big deal!

Dynamic solar shading: Lower your energy consumption and increase the comfort within your building with one integrated solution

It is a well known fact that buildings in the EU nowadays account for approximately 40% of the total energy consumption. And the same goes for most other parts of the world as well. Engineers and architects around the world are looking for new solutions to improve the energy performance of buildings. This is hardly surprising, as new regulations and requirements for energy performance raise the bar higher than ever.

The biggest challenge lies in combining the living and working comfort with energy-efficiency: how can you ensure a maximum energy saving while ensuring the best possible visual comfort, thermal comfort and access to natural daylight? That is where dynamic solar shading comes in: a dynamic solution that can significantly lower the energy consumption while providing the ideal living and working circumstances, which in turn lead to more well-being and a higher productivity.

What is dynamic solar shading?

Dynamic solar shading uses technology to control external and/or internal solar shading devices such as shades, curtains and blinds by means of an intelligent building system. It receives real-time input from various sensors (sun, wind, temp, presence, etc) and combines this input with pre-set data and thresholds based on the requirements from both facility managers and tenants.

The system also allows for “personal override” allowing individual, temporary, adjustments to solve any potential conflict between the interest of the building and its occupants.

Dynamic solar shading revolves around the facade of a building. The facade is where the outdoors and indoors meet, where natural and man-made environments come together.

Outside climatic conditions continuously vary during the day/night or season. Inside working and living conditions must be as stable and comfortable as possible and meet occupants' needs, personal preferences and be beneficial to the building’s energy performance.

Somfy’s intelligent building control solutions for dynamic control enable this and this is why we are so passionate about what we can do for you.

Why use dynamic solar shading?

Dynamic solar shading can significantly contribute to any building energy management solution, for the following main reasons:

It will generate energy savings for cooling and heating by managing the energy flow through the glass
It supports a healthier indoor environment by bringing well-being and productivity benefits caused by improved visual comfort, thermal comfort and access to natural daylight
It enhances the aesthetics of the facades by aligning and coordinating the sun protection devices
An indirect benefit, for the building owner, is the potential contribution to higher marks in various green rating systems – like LEED, BREEAM, Green Star, Miljöbyggnad etc

What are experts saying?

"Dynamic solar shading is vital”
MAX TILLBERG, Specialist Indoor Climate at BENGT DAHLGREN AB

Testimony

”Dynamic solar shading is vital for several reasons, it reduces the cooling requirements, it provides a better thermal indoor climate and minimizes the risk of glare, and at the same time it avoids unnecessary reduction of natural daylight and outside view.

As specialists in this relatively young area, it is our responsibility to make sure that the solutions we specify are as clear and detailed as possible. As the industry lacks the same level of experience as in HVAC, for example, the project becomes more dependent on these specifications.

When I envision the future of solar shading in the coming 10-20 years, I don’t expect major changes. Obviously, there will be more technically advanced shading products, but the main difference will be in dynamic control and integration of the system.”

Why Somfy?

At Somfy, we are passionate about dynamic solar shading solutions, pushing the limits of innovative shading technology further, supporting a more environmentally responsible future. We do this by offering market leading motors and building controls together with our unique service capabilities.

Contact us to learn more about how we can support you in your construction project or building development strategy. You can read more about Somfy Projects here: About us.