Solar radiation and cooling load calculation for radiant systems: Definition and evaluation of the Direct Solar Load

Francesco Causone, Stefano P. Corgnati, Marco Filippi, Bjarne W. Olesen

    Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

    Abstract

    The study of the influence of solar radiation on the built environment is a basic issue in building physics and currently it is extremely important because glazed envelopes are widely used in contemporary architecture. In the present study, the removal of solar heat gains by radiant cooling systems is investigated. Particular attention is given to the portion of solar radiation converted to cooling load, without taking part in thermal absorption phenomena due to the thermal mass of the room. This specific component of the cooling load is defined as the Direct Solar Load. A simplified procedure to correctly calculate the magnitude of the Direct Solar Load in cooling load calculations is proposed and it is implemented with the Heat Balance method and the Radiant Time Series method. The F ratio of the solar heat gains directly converted to cooling load, in the case of a low thermal mass radiant ceiling, is calculated for different kinds of office rooms with a large glazed external surface. An example of cooling load calculation developed with the proposed procedure is given.
    Original languageEnglish
    JournalEnergy and Buildings
    Volume42
    Issue number3
    Pages (from-to)305-314
    ISSN0378-7788
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2010

    Keywords

    • Solar heat gains
    • Radiant Time Series
    • Heat Balance
    • Radiant panels
    • Cooling load
    • Solar radiation

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