SkyVision
Calculates the overall optical characteristics (transmittance, absorptance, reflectance and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient) of conventional and tubular skylights, performance indicators of skylight/room interfaces (well efficiency and coefficient of utilization), indoor daylight availability (daylight factor and illuminance) and daily/annual lighting energy savings. SkyVision accounts for the skylight shape and glazing, geometry of the indoor space (curb, well, room), skylight layouts, lighting and shading controls, site location and sky/ground conditions. SkyVision is unique--it uses the state-of-art glazing models and ray-tracing-based methods to compute the optical characteristics of skylights and indoor daylight availability. Screen Shots
Keywords
Skylight, light well, fenestration, glazing, optical characteristics, daylighting.
Validation/Testing
N/A
Expertise Required
Basic engineering background in daylighting is required.
Users
More than 150 users since its release in March 2003.
Audience
Skylight and curb manufacturers, building designers, architects, engineers, fenestration councils, and research and education institutions.
Input
Users provide data on skylight shape, size and glazing type, dimensions and surface reflectance of the indoor space (curb, light well, room), lighting and shading controls, site location, and sky condition.
Output
Overall optical characteristics (transmittance, absoptance, reflectance and SHGC) of the skylight, efficiency of the light well and coefficient of utilization, daylight factor under a given sky condition, total illuminance from sky and sun beam lights on indoor surfaces, floor surface area coverage, and daily and annual lighting energy savings.
Computer Platform
PC-compatible running Windows NT/2000/XP.
Programming Language
Fortran 90 and Visual Basic
Strengths
Accurate, detailed calculation of optical characteristics of skylights of different shapes and glazing types. Standard and weather-based sky conditions can be simulated. Easy to learn and get quick results on skylight performance. Users can compare skylight products and their energy performance based on built-in criteria. Export results to Excel and energy simulation software.
Weaknesses
Handles buildings with rectangular shapes. Thermal energy (heating/cooling) calculation is not implemented yet. Detailed user manual not currently available (quick start instructions are provided, and on-line help is available).
Contact
Company: |
National Research Council Canada |
Address: |
Institute for Research in Construction |
Telephone: |
+1 (613) 990-6868 |
Facsimile: |
+1 (613) 954-3733 |
E-mail: |
|
Website: |
Availability
Can be downloaded free of charge from the web site.