A dynamic model for daylight impact on energy savings in direct gain passive solar buildings

Direct gain passive solar buildings are characterized by large glazing area which produces a considerable amount of daylight into their interiors. Currently, passive solar building designers are used to perceive daylight as a by-product of their designs. As an additional energy saving incentive, designers usually ignore the potentials of natural illumination while taking their design decisions. This thesis attempts to explore and assess the energy saving potential of daylight in direct gain passive solar buildings. In addition, this thesis examines the effect of daylight utilization on the design of fenestration. A mathematical model has been developed to provide a dynamic analysis for daylight energy benefits in passive solar buildings. The model simulates the time dependent nature of daylight and estimates indoor illumination levels. Furthermore, it quantifies the simultaneous solar energy gain within the space and employs these data to estimate the potential energy saving associated with daylighting. A case study incorporating a sensitivity analysis for window design variables has been examined. The results of this thesis have indicated that the energy advantages of direct gain passive solar buildings increase significantly when daylight energy benefits are considered. It also shows that considering daylight in the design process of the direct gain passive solar building will have an implication of their fenestration design.