Solar performance and shadow behaviour in buildings. Case study with computer modelling of a building in Loranca, Spain

Abstract The evaluation method to calculate building performance under direct solar radiation and the energetic benefit when two different alternatives of solar protection are applied, are described. For a specific site, the quantity of direct solar radiation that is received by a building with all its windows placed in the surface or plane of the facade, is compared to how this energy is reduced using a system for solar protection dimensioned in an experimental way. It is also shown what would be the exact benefits of determining the above-mentioned dimensioning precisely and with the help of a computer.