Building Science at UC Berkeley: Research

Comparative Evaluation of Daylighting/Energy simulation Software for California Application

M. Susan Ubbelohde, Department of Architecture

University of California Energy Institute

The use of daylighting in non-residential buildings in California offers significant energy savings, however the use of this strategy is largely dependent on the availability of simulation and prediction tools accessible to the practicing architect and lighting designer. In particular, the use of computer simulation as a means of such simulation attracts great interest in the design professions. Experience during the 1980s indicated that few, if any, of the available software programs were actually useful in daylighting design, either from a perspective of accuracy or of applicability to various building designs and climatic conditions. With the sea change in computing and simulation capabilities since the mid-1980s, it is likely that currently available software may solve these problems.

This project evaluated available daylighting/energy software with respect to its usefulness, accuracy and applicability in California. Initial results have been presented in classes at the Pacific Gas and Electric Energy Center during Fall 1996 and 1997. Final results will be presented at the Daylighting ‘98 Conference in Ottawa in May 1998, and published in the conference proceedings.