Solar Louvres
Solar Louvres on London's Glastonbury House - shot from above
Application:
Shading is an important part of low energy building design that minimises glare and over heating caused by excessive ‘solar gain’. The use of louvres to shade south facing facades is a proven means by which solar gain can be controlled whilst maximising the use for natural light to minimise electrical lighting loads. Solar louvres also reduce glare for PC users increasing occupant comfort.
The need to minimise energy consumption, being driven by the Building Regulations, makes louvers an increasingly attractive solution to minimise the need for air conditioning in highly glazed buildings.
Louvres are ideally situated to capture solar energy; solar photovoltaic (PV) louvres can reduce building energy use AND contribute the electricity demand of the building at the same time.
Solarcentury have developed a versatile louvre design solution which can be used horizontally to create a shading ‘canopy’ or in a vertical arrangement.
Solar Louvres on the headquarters of the Evironment Agency
Features:
• Vertical and horizontal shading arrangements available
• Versatility – A range of standard brackets allow easy integration with most conventional shading structures
• Additional planning permission is rarely required
• Energy saving – solar louvres reduce cooling loads
• Energy production – solar louvres utilise otherwise unproductive space
• Occupant comfort – effective shading reduce glare for building occupants
• Power output from the modules in guaranteed for 25 years
