The Influence Range of Solar Radiation on the Indoor Radiant Thermal Environment

School of Energy and Power Engineering, Nanjing Institute of Technology, Nanjing 211167, China

^* Corresponding author: lushunyao@njit.edu.cn

Abstract

In glass curtain wall buildings, the solar radiation irradiation depth is greater, more solar radiation heat gain also has a greater impact on the indoor thermal environment. In the traditional air-conditioning system design, the inner and outer zoning of air-conditioning often relies on engineering experience and is not applicable to glass curtain wall buildings, therefore, it is necessary to propose a new method of internal and external zoning for glass curtain wall buildings. In this paper, the distribution of solar radiation in the room throughout the year is analysed to clarify the depth of solar radiation in the room and the influence range on the indoor radiant thermal environment. The results show that the influence range of solar radiation in the south-oriented room is 2m in summer and 3m in winter, and the influence range of solar radiation in the east and west oriented room is 3m in summer and about 2.5m in winter. The results of this paper provide a theoretical basis for the delineation of the inner and outer zones of buildings with glass curtain walls, which can reduce the thermal discomfort of the people in the room and the energy consumption.