Awnshade

Calculates the unshaded fraction of a rectangular window for any given solar position coordinates relative to the window. Calculations are made for window shading configurations including awnings with or without side walls or overhangs of arbitrary dimensions above the window. Awnshade can also calculate the unshaded fraction for a sequence of solar positions. It calculates the effective unshaded fraction of diffuse sky irradiance or illuminance incident on the window, assuming uniform sky radiance/luminance, and the effective ground-reflected unshaded fraction. Includes the capability for handling cases in which shadows of the side of the awning/overhang cross the top of the window.

Keywords

solar shading, awnings, overhangs, side fins, windows

Validation/Testing

N/A

Expertise Required

Basic understanding of building shading geometry.

Users

30.

Audience

Architects, building designers, building energy performance simulators.

Input

User-friendly I/O screens, describing geometry of windows, awnings, and vertical side fins.

Output

Results can be printed directly to a printer,or saved to a print file or to files formatted for importing into graphic plotting programs.

Computer Platform

DOS-based IBM and compatible personal computers; can also run under MS Windows.

Programming Language

Visual BASIC for DOS version 1.0

Strengths

Outputs a table of unshaded fractions for a range of incident sun directions.

Weaknesses

No fancy graphics of window shadows or their movement across the window.

Contact

Availability

Awnshade version 2.0 is available from the contact at a cost of $45 (including shipping and handling).

Printable Version