Daylight Systems

The challenge of daylighting buildings has been about how to achieve an efficient redistribution of flux within a building with a source that is both variable in intensity and position: the sun and the sky.
Solving this problem will reduce or eliminate the need for electric lighting during the day.
Energy savings are achieved through daylight-controllable lighting systems, but interior shades can reduce daylighting potential, and glare poses significant challenges. If a low-cost technology can be devised for widespread applications, daylighting has the potential to reduce U.S. energy use by 1.0-1.5 quads (1.0-1.5 x 1015BTUs). Berkeley Lab researchers are working to develop new materials and systems for daylighting buildings in collaboration with industry.
Measuring Optically Complex Fenestration Systems
Measuring light-scattering materials systems
Modeling Daylight
Modeling daylighting systems for building applications
Virtual Prototyping
Radiance software and cloud computing to speed innovation
Prismatic Window Films
Sunlight redirection with an indoor window film
Dynamic Metamaterials
Nanoscaled prismatic structures that shape-shift with applied voltage
Optical Light Shelves
Passive optical louvers for daylighting deep spaces
Multi-zone Daylighting + Shading Systems
Indoor and outdoor shading with an upper zone for daylighting
Diffusing Materials
Diffuse daylight from windows and skylights
Holographic Glazings
Diffractive gratings for daylighting
Spectrally Selective Low-e Glazing and Films
Clear glass without the solar heat gains
Skylighting
Daylighting building interiors with toplighting
Integration with Daylighting Controls
Improving the reliability of photoelectric dimming control systems
Visual Comfort and IEQ
Evaluating comfort and indoor environmental quality impacts of daylighting systems
IEA SHC Task 31
The International Energy Agency's Solar Heating and Cooling Programme's task to daylight buildings in the 21st century (focus on tools and occupant impacts)
IEA SHC Task 21
The International Energy Agency's Solar Heating and Cooling Programme's task to daylight buildings in the 21st century (focus on technologies)