Solar performance of an electrochromic geodesic dome roof

A Fuller type geodesic dome was modeled in terms of the variation of the solar energy that passes to the interior when the dome is covered with electrochromic glazing (ECG), compared with common glass, by means of two different solar control strategies: one discrete and the other continuous. With the discrete strategy, when a solar beam strikes any ECG pane at any angle, it is darkened to its maximum level. In the continuous strategy, each ECG pane is darkened by using a direct function of solar beam radiation. The results demonstrate the advantages of solar control achieved with the former strategy. For the discrete strategy, the daily reduction in solar energy intake, with respect to the ordinary glass, was around 86% for all considered latitudes along the year. The optimum values for the continuous strategy occurred during the equinoxes with a maximum reduction of 69% for all latitudes. During the summer solstice, the reduction percentages increase with the latitude from 52 to 57%. During the winter solstice, the energy reduction with the continuous strategy decreases with the latitude from 52% in the Equator to 46% at 40° north latitude.