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How can I calculate solar gains within Perimeter zones?

asked 2025-02-10 09:50:19 -0500

updated 2025-02-13 08:03:41 -0500

I am attempting to identify the total solar gains in a 4.5m deep perimeter zone when the total room width is close to 7m deep with a glass partition at 4.5m depth from the facade. My assumption is that

Solar Gains within the perimeter zone = Total Beam and Diffuse radiation from external windows - diffuse solar radiation going into the interior zones + diffuse solar radiation returning into the perimeter zones.

Has anyone worked with said design parameters and can help me identify whether this workflow aligns with realistic value for solar gains in the identified zone ? (Working on EnergyPlus)

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Which application? EnergyPlus?

Denis Bourgeois's avatar Denis Bourgeois  ( 2025-02-11 13:20:35 -0500 )edit

Hi Denis, sorry I should have mentioned earlier. Yes I am working on EnergyPlus.

pranaykhanchandani's avatar pranaykhanchandani  ( 2025-02-12 02:23:50 -0500 )edit

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answered 2025-02-12 10:32:25 -0500

updated 2025-02-12 14:51:14 -0500

A partial selection of concepts to consider. Based on your description, I'm assuming that there is a modelled pair of adjacent interzone walls separating both zones. And that each interzone wall holds a conventional interzone window, i.e. no Construction:AirBoundary objects involved. Given that, I'm simply drawing your attention to the following specific points of discussion in the Engineering Reference:


Solar Distribution, in particular the options FullInteriorAndExterior and FulInteriorAndlExteriorWithReflections. This is set in the IDF using the Building object. These options come with a price with regards to zone geometry (enclosed, convex), yet ensure that some of the transmitted beam solar radiation may make its way to the adjacent zone (through the interzone window). An excerpt:

If you use FullInteriorAndExterior the program will calculate how much beam radiation falling on an interior window is absorbed by the window, how much is reflected back into the zone, and how much is transmitted into the adjacent zone.


Details of the Interior Solar Distribution Calculation, quoting:

EnergyPlus calculates the distribution of short-wave radiation in the interior of each thermal zone. This radiation consists of beam solar radiation, diffuse solar radiation, and short-wave radiation from electric lights. The program determines the amount of this radiation that is (1) absorbed on the inside face of opaque surfaces, (2) absorbed in the glass and shading device layers of the zone’s exterior and interior windows, (3) transmitted through the zone’s interior windows to adjacent zones, and (4) transmitted back out of the exterior windows.


Interior Diffuse Radiation, again quoting (towards the end):

[...] taking into account multiple reflection between zones. For example, for two zones means that some of the radiation transmitted from Zone1 to Zone2 is reflected back to Zone1, and some of this is in turn reflected back to Zone2, etc.


Interior Solar Radiation Transmitted by Interior Windows, notably the different treatment of beam vs diffuse:

The program does not track where this radiation falls in the adjacent zone: it is counted as diffuse radiation in that zone.

Hope these excerpts help you.


EDIT: In a nutshell, as long as you're selecting either FullInteriorAndExterior or FulInteriorAndlExteriorWithReflections as the Building's Solar Distribution option, and that zone geometry is enclosed & convex, you'll get just about what you're looking for.


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Thanks Denis, This is very useful. Aligns with the way I have set it up as well.

pranaykhanchandani's avatar pranaykhanchandani  ( 2025-02-13 03:19:40 -0500 )edit

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Asked: 2025-02-10 09:50:19 -0500

Seen: 98 times

Last updated: Feb 12