Solar infrared radiation towards building energy efficiency: measurement, data, and modeling

Abstract

<jats:p> With the recent discoveries and engineering solutions emerging in nanomaterials and nanostructures, independent band modulation of solar radiation on building envelopes, including glazing systems, has become increasingly viable as a potential means of improving building energy savings and indoor visual comfort. However, when it comes to the prediction of these new materials’ potential energy performance in buildings, most studies utilize a simple solar irradiance (e.g., global horizontal solar irradiance, direct beam solar irradiance) or a rough estimation of solar infrared (e.g., 50% solar irradiance) as input, which may cause significant errors. As a consequence, there is a pressing need for reliable performance estimations of the solar infrared control and response at the building’s scale. To assess this, we need a solar spectral irradiance model, or at least a wideband (visible or infrared) solar irradiance model, as input. To develop this new type of model, one needs to understand the modeling-related key elements, including available solar spectral irradiance datasets, data collection methods, and modeling techniques. As such, this paper reviews the current major measurement methods and tools used in collecting solar spectral irradiance data with a focus on the solar infrared region identifies the available related resources and datasets that particularly encompass the solar spectral irradiance data with a sufficient wavelength range, and studies existing solar irradiation modeling techniques for building simulations. These investigations will then form the background and backbone for a study scheme of solar infrared radiation modeling and indicate future research paths and opportunities. </jats:p>

Proceedings of the SOLAR 20/20 Conference

“…We will incorporate our previous study of solar NIR modeling into this annual energy analysis. 20 Last, in addition to the energy savings due to the PT effect, the PT effect may also reduce the risks of window condensation by increasing the temperature of the window's inner surface. The condensation occurred on building windows, especially low-e coated single-pane windows, which may lead to significant thermal loss from indoor to outdoor.…”

“…In the base case, the HE spec values, WS # 1, Lines 4,6,7,8 & 9, have also been used as the H2 "Tank" spec values, WS # 2, Lines 11,12,13,14 & 15,and as the FC spec values WS # 3,Lines 18,19,20,21 & 22 11 . A specific example is WS # 1, Line 9, Cost of Capital, interest rate/ROE [WACC] is set at 6%, which is the author's base case estimate.…”

“…For example, in our previous works solar heat gain coefficient and visible transmittance, two major building window properties, have been comprehensively studied in terms of their different impacts on building energy, potential conflicting effects, and measurement methods. (Feng et al 2020;Wang et al 2016). However, the meteorological data in conventional weather files do not normally include the spectral power distribution data of incident solar light because measuring the narrowband spectral distribution of sunlight is much more difficult and expensive than measuring broadband radiation (e.g., using pyranometers) (Duan et al 2020).…”

“…(Feng et al 2020;Wang et al 2016). However, the meteorological data in conventional weather files do not normally include the spectral power distribution data of incident solar light because measuring the narrowband spectral distribution of sunlight is much more difficult and expensive than measuring broadband radiation (e.g., using pyranometers) (Duan et al 2020). As a consequence, there is a pressing need for reliable performance estimations of spectral solar radiation control and response on a building scale.…”

Innovations in Building Diagnostics and Condition Monitoring: A Comprehensive Review of Infrared Thermography Applications

“…Objects, whether human-made or natural, emit thermal radiation because of their temperature. This radiation, primarily manifesting within the infrared spectrum, is inherently invisible to the human eye [111,112]. However, specialized infrared cameras, equipped with sophisticated detectors and optics, could translate this invisible radiation into tangible images known as thermograms [113,114].…”