LIGHT

SHELVES

SHREYA MANIAR
ROLL NO: 12
SEM: 09
DATE: 04/07/2022
• A light shelf is a passive architectural device used to reflect natural daylight into
a building. 'Bouncing' sunlight off a horizontal surface distributes it more evenly and
deeply within a space, whereas direct sunlight can cause glare near an opening,
whilst leaving dark areas further in.
• They are generally found on walls facing the sun, as on 'pole-facing walls' would tend
to act only as sunshades. On east and west orientations, they may act as an effective
means of reducing direct heat gain and glare but will not bounce light as deeply into
the space.

• Light shelves are commonly made from:

▪ timber
▪ glass
▪ plastics
▪ metal panels
▪ plaster
▪ acoustic panels and so on.
▪ The choice of material may be determined by considerations regarding
the design of the rest of the building, structural strength, ease
of maintenance, cost, durability and so on. Opacity is not essential, as
some transparency can help more-evenly distribute light.

• Light shelves can:

➢ Enhance daylight quality.
➢ Reduce the need for artificial lighting and so reduce energy consumption.
➢ Reduce cooling loads.
➢ Increase occupant comfort and productivity.
➢ Enhance design aesthetics

• The parameters identified in this review, affecting light shelf’s performance are the
following:
➢ Geometrical (width, length, mounting height, tilt angle and shape)
➢ Reflectance type (specular or diffuse).
➢ Material type (metal perforated or not, transparent).
➢ Position adjustment (rotation, operation).
➢ Building data (room dimensions including ceiling shape).
➢ Climatic conditions.

• Horizontal Devices: To shade a window during hot summer months, but to allow
sunlight to shine through a window in the winter, to help warm a building.
• Vertical Devices: Primariliy used for east and west exposures to improve the
insulation value of glass in winter months by acting as a windbreak.

• Egg-crate: The combination of vertical and horizontal shading elements commonly

used in hot climate regions because of their high shading efficiencies. The horizonal
element controls ground glare from reflected solar rays. The device works well on
wall.
ALTITUDE and AZIMUTH
ANGLE
Sr. No Month Time Azimuth Altitude Direction
8 AM 120 Degrees 20 Degrees SE
January 11 AM 157 Degrees 53 Degrees S of SE
1 November 2 PM 218 Degrees 42 Degrees S of SW
4.30 PM 243 Degrees 13 Degrees SW

Sr. No Month Time Azimuth Altitude Direction

8 AM 112 Degrees 24 Degrees E of SE
February 11 AM 152 Degrees 63 Degrees S of SE
2 October 2 PM 228 Degrees 48 Degrees SW
4.30 PM 252 Degrees 17 Degrees W of SW

Sr. No Month Time Azimuth Altitude Direction

8 AM 100 Degrees 32 Degrees E
March 11 AM 140 Degrees 67 Degrees SE
3 September 2 PM 242 Degrees 66 Degrees SW
4.30 PM 264 Degrees 20 Degrees W

Sr. No Month Time Azimuth Altitude Direction

8 AM 86 Degrees 33 Degrees E
April 11 AM 120 Degrees 74 Degrees SE
4 August 2 PM 263 Degrees 61 Degrees W of SW
4.30 PM 277 Degrees 25 Degrees W

Sr. No Month Time Azimuth Altitude Direction

8 AM 86 Degrees 34 Degrees E of NE
May 11 AM 88 Degrees 85 Degrees E
5 July 2 PM 280 Degrees 63 Degrees W of NW
4.30 PM 277 Degrees 28 Degrees W of NW

Sr. No Month Time Azimuth Altitude Direction

8 AM 73 Degrees 35 Degrees E of NE
11 AM 72 Degrees 75 Degrees E of NE
6 June 2 PM 287 Degrees 62 Degrees W of NW
4.30 PM 287 Degrees 33 Degrees W of NW

Sr. No Month Time Azimuth Altitude Direction

8 AM 123 Degrees 18 Degrees SE
11 AM 160 Degrees 46 Degrees S of SE
7 December 2 PM 215 Degrees 39 Degrees SW
4.30 PM 240 Degrees 13 Degrees SW

SHREYA MANIAR
ROLL NO: 12
SEM: 09
DATE: 04/07/2022