Glass & Solar Radiation
Solar radiation
Components of solar radiation
The solar radiation that reaches the earth consists of 3% ultra-violet rays (UV), 55% infra-red radiation (IR) and 42% visible light.
These three components of solar radiation each correspond to a range of wavelengths. Ultra-violet extends from 0.28 to 0.38 µm (nanometres), visible light from
0.38 to 0.78 µm and infra-red from 0.78 to 2.5 µm. The overall energy distribution of solar radiation, as a function of the wavelength between 0.3 and 2.5 µm (spectrum), for a surface perpendicular to this radiation, is represented by the curve shown below. This spectrum draws on definitions provided in BS EN 410 and certain atmospheric constants concerning the characterisation of the air and the diffused radiation.
Visible light
Visible light, or daylight, is the range of wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum between 0.38 µm and 0.78 µm.
The combined wavelengths of the visible spectrum when acting on the eye, result in the physiological effect known as vision.
Spectrophotometric characteristics
When solar radiation strikes glass, it is partly reflected, partly absorbed in the thickness of the glass and partly transmitted.
Light transmittance and light reflectance factors
The light transmittance and light reflectance factors are the ratios of the transmitted or reflected light flux to the incident light flux These factors are given for comparison purposes, since slight variations may occur during manufacture. Glass has an inherent green tint, which may be apparent in certain very thick or multiple glass constructions (in double-glazed and laminated form). This will vary with the overall thickness of the glazing or its constituents.
The solar factor (TT/SF/g) of glazing is the percentage of the total solar radiant heat energy entering the room through the glass.
Solar energy
Greenhouse effect
Solar radiant energy entering a room through the glass is absorbed by interior objects and surfaces, which then retransmit the energy as thermal radiation, mainly in the far infra-red band (above 5 µm).
Even ordinary float glass is practically opaque to radiation with a wavelength higher than 5 µm.
This means that solar energy entering through the glass is trapped in the room, which then tends to heat up and is referred to as the “greenhouse effect”.
Solar control
To help reduce overheating the following steps can be taken:
- ensure adequate ventilation
- use blinds (ensuring they do not increase the risk of thermal breakage). Interior blinds are less effective since they only screen solar radiation which has already passed through the glass. If external blinds are used, consideration for maintenance must be taken into account
- use low energy transmittance glazing, known as “solar control glass”. This glass allows only a specified fraction of solar radiation energy to pass through, providing illumination but helping to prevent overheating.
Natural light
Knowing the light transmittance factor of a particular glass makes it possible to assess the level of available light inside a room, when the exterior light level is also known. The ratio of the internal light level at a given point in a room to the exterior light level measured on a horizontal plane is constant, regardless of the time of day.
For example, a room with a daylight factor of 0.10 close to the glazing and 0.01 towards the back of the room (average figures for a typical room), an exterior light level of 5000 lux (overcast, thick clouds) provides an interior light level of 500 lux near the window and 50 lux at the back.
For the same room, a light level of 20000 lux (open sky, white clouds) produces light levels of 2000 and 200 lux respectively.
Comfortable Light Levels
The overall light level in a room is a major determinant to the feeling of well-being by ensuring optimum conditions and comfort for the eyes.
The Fading Effect
In certain circumstances, the colours of some materials, when exposed to direct sunlight, can fade.
As previously discussed, energy from the sun consists of three types of radiation: -ultra-violet rays (UV), ranging from 0.28 to 0.38 µm. It is this part of the electromagnetic spectrum that causes sunburn,
- visible radiation or daylight, composed of a narrow band of the electromagnetic spectrum with wavelengths in the range 0.38 µm (violet) to 0.78 µm (red). The combination of these wavelengths produces white light,
- infra-red radiation (IR), which we feel as heat, is in the range 0.78 to 2.5 µm Materials can change colour when exposed to solar radiation because the molecular bonds in the colouring agents are gradually weakened by high energy photons. This kind of photochemical reaction is mainly caused by ultra-violet radiation, though to a lesser extent it can also be due to short wavelength visible light (violet, blue).
Generally colour fading is associated more commonly with organic colouring agents, in which the chemical bonds can be less stable than in mineral-based pigments.
However, there are glass products which can provide effective solutions.
The most efficient way of preventing fading is to exclude ultra-violet radiation, since despite its low proportion within the electromagnetic spectrum, it is the main contributory factor to the process.
UV radiation can be virtually eliminated by the use of PVB laminated glass. Laminated glasses can transmit only 0.4 % of UV, compared to 44 % for 10mm clear float glass.
A second option is to use a body-tinted glass, which will filter light selectively : for example, yellow glass absorbs mainly violet and blue light. Thirdly, glass with a low solar factor could be used to reduce the thermal effect of the radiation.
It should be noted however, that no glass product can guarantee total protection from fading.
Visible light, or daylight, is the range of wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum between 0.38 µm and 0.78 µm.