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Solar gain
 
 
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Solar gain (also known as solar heat gain or passive solar gain) refers to the increase in temperature
Temperature

In physics, temperature is a physical property of a Physical system that underlies the common notions of hot and cold; something that feels hotter generally has the greater temperature....
 in a space, object or structure that results from solar radiation. The amount of solar gain increases with the strength of the sun, and with the ability of any intervening material to transmit
Transmittance

In optics and spectroscopy, transmittance is the fraction of incident light at a specified wavelength that passes through a sample. Specifically, visible transmittance is this fraction for visible light....
 or resist the radiation.

Objects struck by sunlight absorb the short-wave radiation from the light
Light

Light, or visible light, is electromagnetic radiation of a wavelength that is Visible spectrum to the human eye , or up to 380?750 nm. In the broader field of physics, light is sometimes used to refer to electromagnetic radiation of all wavelengths, whether visible or not....
 and re-radiate the heat at longer infrared
Infrared

Infrared radiation is electromagnetic radiation whose wavelength is longer than that of visible light , but shorter than that of terahertz radiation and microwaves ....
 wavelength
Wavelength

In physics, wavelength is the distance between repeating units of a propagating wave of a given frequency. It is commonly designated by the Greek language letter lambda ....
s.






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Encyclopedia


Solar gain (also known as solar heat gain or passive solar gain) refers to the increase in temperature
Temperature

In physics, temperature is a physical property of a Physical system that underlies the common notions of hot and cold; something that feels hotter generally has the greater temperature....
 in a space, object or structure that results from solar radiation. The amount of solar gain increases with the strength of the sun, and with the ability of any intervening material to transmit
Transmittance

In optics and spectroscopy, transmittance is the fraction of incident light at a specified wavelength that passes through a sample. Specifically, visible transmittance is this fraction for visible light....
 or resist the radiation.

Objects struck by sunlight absorb the short-wave radiation from the light
Light

Light, or visible light, is electromagnetic radiation of a wavelength that is Visible spectrum to the human eye , or up to 380?750 nm. In the broader field of physics, light is sometimes used to refer to electromagnetic radiation of all wavelengths, whether visible or not....
 and re-radiate the heat at longer infrared
Infrared

Infrared radiation is electromagnetic radiation whose wavelength is longer than that of visible light , but shorter than that of terahertz radiation and microwaves ....
 wavelength
Wavelength

In physics, wavelength is the distance between repeating units of a propagating wave of a given frequency. It is commonly designated by the Greek language letter lambda ....
s. Where there is a material or substance between the sun
Sun

The Sun , a G V star, is the star at the center of the Solar System. The Earth and other matter orbit the Sun, which by itself accounts for about 98.6% of the Solar System's mass....
 and the objects struck that is more transparent
Transparency (optics)

In optics, transparency is the material property of allowing light to pass through. In mineralogy, another term for this property is diaphaneity....
 to the shorter wavelengths than the longer, then when the sun is shining the net result is an increase in temperature - solar gain. This effect, the greenhouse effect
Greenhouse effect

The greenhouse effect refers to the change in the steady state temperature of a planet or moon by the presence of an atmosphere containing gas that absorbs and emits infrared....
, so called due to the solar gain that is experienced behind the glass of a greenhouse, has since become well known in the context of global warming
Global warming

Global warming is the increase in the Instrumental temperature record of the Earth's near-surface air and the oceans since the mid-twentieth century and its projected continuation....
.

Shading coefficients


When discussing the properties of fenestration (e.g. window
Window

File:OldShipWindows.jpgA window is an opening in a wall that allows the passage of light and, if not closed or sealed, air and sound. Windows are usually glazed or covered in some other transparency or translucent material....
s and door
Door

A door is a moveable barrier used to cover an opening. Doors are used widely and are found in walls or partitions of a building or space, furniture such as cupboards, cage s, vehicles, and containers....
s) and shading devices, shading coefficients are commonly mentioned properties. Shading coefficients measure the solar energy transmittance
Transmittance

In optics and spectroscopy, transmittance is the fraction of incident light at a specified wavelength that passes through a sample. Specifically, visible transmittance is this fraction for visible light....
 through windows. "G-value" is the coefficient commonly used in Europe and "solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC)" is used in the United States. "Shading Coefficient" is an older term that is still sometimes used in the United States. The relationship between SHGC and SC is as follows: SHGC = SC × 0.87. G-values and SHGC values ranges from 0 to 1, a lower value representing less solar gain. Shading coefficient values are calculated using the sum of the primary solar transmittance (T-value) and the secondary transmittance. Primary transmittance is the fraction of solar radiation that directly enters a building through a window compared to the total solar insolation
Insolation

Insolation is a measure of solar radiation energy received on a given surface area in a given time. It is commonly expressed as average irradiance in watts per square meter or kilowatt-hours per square meter per day ....
, the amount of radiation that the window receives. The secondary transmittance is the fraction of inwardly flowing solar energy absorbed in the window (or shading device) again compared to the total solar insolation.

Solar gain and building design

In the context of passive solar building design
Passive solar building design

Passive solar buildings aim to maintain interior thermal comfort throughout the sun's daily and annual cycles whilst reducing the requirement for HVAC....
 the aim of the designer is normally to maximise solar gain within the building in the winter (to reduce space heating
Space heating

Space heating is the heating of a space, usually enclosed, such as a house or room. A space heater keeps the air and surroundings at a comfortable temperature for people or animals, or even plants in a greenhouse....
 demand), and to control it in summer (to minimise cooling requirements). Thermal mass
Thermal mass

Thermal mass is the capacity of a body to store heat, and is calculated as the product of mass the body and the specific heat capacity for the material , and typically is measured in units of J/?C or J/K ....
 may be used to even out the fluctuations during the day, and to some extent between days.

In direct solar gain systems, the composition and coating of the building glazing can also be manipulated to optimise the greenhouse effect, while its size, position and shading can be used to optimise solar gain. Solar gain can also be transferred to the building by indirect or isolated solar gain systems. For further details, see passive solar building design
Passive solar building design

Passive solar buildings aim to maintain interior thermal comfort throughout the sun's daily and annual cycles whilst reducing the requirement for HVAC....
.

See also

  • Heating degree day
    Heating degree day

    Heating degree day and cooling degree day are quantitative index designed to reflect the demand for energy needed to heat or cool a home or business....
  • Insulated glazing
    Insulated glazing

    When multiple glass panes or "lites" are assembled into units, they are commonly referred to as "insulated glass", "Double glazing/ Double Glazed Units" or Insulating Glass Units ....
    • Low-emissivity coatings
      Low-emissivity

      Low-emissivity coatings are microscopically thin, virtually invisible, metal or metallic oxide layers deposited on a window or skylight glazing surface primarily to reduce the U-factor by suppressing radiative heat flow....