Performance Evaluation of External Light Shelves by Applying a Prism Sheet

To address the increased use of lighting energy in the building sector, research on the use of light shelves has been increasing. Previous studies have focused on applying operating techniques to improve daylighting performance, which reduces the economic efficiency of light shelves and the building energy savings. This study proposes the use of prism sheets to improve the performance of light shelves, a concept which was validated by evaluating the performance related to saving building energy and improving indoor light uniformity through a full-scale testbed. This study used an external light shelf with no prism sheet, a window with a prism sheet applied, and a window with both an external light shelf and prism sheet applied as Case 1, Case 2, and Case 3, respectively, and analyzed the illuminance distribution and lighting energy consumption required to maintain the optimal indoor illumination for each case. This study also derived the optimal specifications for each case to save building energy and considered the flow of natural light to analyze the performance evaluation results. The main findings are as follows: (1) the optimal specifications to improve daylighting performance were derived for Case 1, requiring the application of operating techniques; (2) Case 2 was not suitable for saving energy and improving light uniformity when compared to Case 1; and (3) Case 3 was effective in saving building energy. In Case 3, even when the light shelf was fixed at 20° without moving, it saved building energy and improved light uniformity compared to Case 1. However, the prism sheet in Case 3 should be detached during winter to maximize building energy savings.