What is dynamic solar shading?

Managing daylight for increased well-being, comfort and energy efficiency

Controlling light and heat while preserving natural resources is a fundamental human need. However, the way we live is changing and we now spend around 90% of our time indoors - so how can we ensure we still meet this need?

Whether new build or renovation, considering the effective use of daylight is essential when undertaking a commercial building project. There are primary requirements and challenges to be addressed: and daylight management plays a role in each of them:

• Health, welfare and well-being of occupants • Energy consumption • Sustainability • Connectivity

 

Intelligent solutions for connected and automated shading in commercial buildings

The challenge

The building envelope (the components that make up the shell or skin of the building) has both a structural and a separation function. In short, it ensures the sturdiness of the building and forms a separation between the inside and the outside. It should also allow for the entry and exit of air, light and moisture. Today though, there is a growing need to make buildings energy-neutral, so insulation and airtight finishes are often used. The downside of this is the thermal effect within the building.

What is meant by dynamic solar shading?

To create the optimal indoor environment, the transmission of light and warmth must be addressed early in the design process, when considering factors such as the environmental conditions, geographical location and the orientation of the building and its facades. With a dynamic solar shading solution, daylight levels can be maximised and controlled, whatever the season or time of day.

Dynamic solar shading uses technology to automate and control external and/or internal solar shading devices such as screens, blinds and shades by means of an intelligent building control system. It receives real-time input from sensors, such as sun, wind and temperature and combines this with pre-set data and thresholds based on the requirements from both facility managers and tenants.

Read more here about the way solar shading works at different times of the year.

Why dynamic solar shading?

Having an intelligent controlled solar shading system helps create a better indoor environment for the well-being and comfort of the building occupants, positively influencing welfare and productivity. It also significantly contributes to building energy management by:

• Generating energy savings for cooling and heating

• Supporting a more consistent, healthy indoor environment through improved visual comfort, thermal comfort and access to natural daylight.

FAQs

Here we tackle a few of the frequently asked questions about dynamic solar shading and its benefits.

Can I achieve the same result with a manual system?

Outside climatic conditions continuously vary during the day/night or season; however, the aim is for the indoor environment to be as stable and comfortable as possible for the occupants’ comfort and to achieve energy savings. The use of real data based on environmental conditions, combined with the correct programming will achieve the optimum result. We know that manual blinds are not used in this way and as they rely on human intervention at the right time, the result is not consistent. For example, when the building occupants are absent, the shading would not move.

You can read more about manual vs automation here.

What happens when the occupants want to be able to control the shading themselves?

Freedom to adjust and control the environment at a local level is a key factor. Our solutions allow for ‘personal override’, enabling individual, temporary adjustments to be made if needed, such as in a meeting room, when presentation screens are being used.

When do I need to start thinking about what solution I need?

To create the best result, the solution must be considered early in the building’s design, when looking at the overall environmental conditions and orientation of the building facades.

Find out more here about how our teams can support you every step of the way.

What about ongoing maintenance?

Once your system is installed and commissioned by our team, our maintenance packages ensure that your solar shading stays optimised to deliver;

  • Continued thermal and visual comfort, combined with better energy savings
  • Minimal downtime and prevention of high repair costs.
  • Remote daily monitoring.

This frees up building management time, with the knowledge that the maintenance of your dynamic solar shading installation is in safe hands.

Delve deeper

The solutions we describe on our website outline the benefits of managing daylight through dynamic solar shading, for well-being, energy savings and sustainability. 

Further information

For further reading we offer access to a selection of scientific studies conducted by independent establishments. You will also find further interesting reading, addressing the importance of a holistic approach to creating sustainable buildings for the future.

We will keep this collection continuously updated – so please drop by again to see the latest updates. 

Why Somfy?

We deliver the complete solution for dynamic solar shading; from the development, design and manufacture of motors and intelligent building controls; through to installation, commissioning and maintenance.

Working in close collaboration with designers, contractors and facility managers, together with our industry partners, we deliver a solution that works for your project. Our locally based expert teams can advise and support your project from the outset; from design and specification, to ensuring your solution stays optimised for your future needs.

Contact us to learn more about how we can support you in your construction project or building development strategy. You can read more about Somfy Projects here.

Contact us to learn more about the benefits of dynamic solar shading!








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Connected buildings

We're now living in a connected world. When it comes to creating smarter places, connecting buildings and installations to the Internet of Things makes them more future-proof.

Connected solutions

IP devices and sensors collect a lot of data. New technologies can use this data, for example, to make buildings more energy efficient. There are several practical advantages: amongst other things, data can be used to predict maintenance and repair intervals and any adjustments can be made remotely.

Closed building management operating systems are now obsolete and there is demand for seamless exchange with other systems.