Guide to Conducting a Thermal Study for Solar Film Projects

Solar control films may effectively lower cooling energy usage and discomfort levels in working and living buildings. However, their effectiveness is reflected in many other different things.

This article will help you understand everything with data analysis and more, describing an integrated report on solar control films' thermal energy and lighting performance.

Now, let's discover how a thermal study can help you quantify energy savings and maximize the benefits of solar film in this short guide!

What is a Thermal Study and Why is it Crucial for Solar Film Projects?

Thermal studies are one of the most important studies we perform regarding solar films. The essence of this study is to measure precisely:

• How much heat the film can reject
• How much it can absorb
• How much it can let through

Of course, not everyone can perform this study because special devices are needed that provide precise data on how the film behaves in different weather conditions.

Let's start with the essential thermal study tools to make this procedure easier to understand!

The Tools Used to Measure Thermal Performance

• Infrared (IR) Cameras – Capture images that show heat distribution, making it easier to detect overheating areas.
• Sensors for Heat Flux Measurement – Measure how much heat passes through the film and determine its efficiency.
• Spectrophotometers – Measure how much light and infrared radiation passes through the film, providing transparency and heat-blocking data.
• Data Loggers with Temperature Sensors – Record temperature changes over time to track how the film reacts to heat, humidity, and cold.

The Techniques Used to Measure Thermal Performance

There are several different tests on solar films and their effectiveness. The first test is a comparison of films, which tests two windows – one with film and the other without it.

The difference in room temperature is an accurate indicator of how much the film helps reduce heat.

The next test that can be performed is the simulation of the sun. In this test, artificial light sources that imitate the sun are used to measure precisely how the film works in some "real" conditions.

And finally, we have a test performed with the help of a climate chamber. The films are placed in special rooms (climate chambers) that simulate extreme weather conditions – high temperatures, humidity, and cold.

With the help of this type of test, we get information about how durable solar films are and how they behave depending on different weather conditions.

A Step-by-Step Process of Conducting a Thermal Study

So, if you actually want to see whether solar film helps with heat, you can’t just put one on your window and hope for the best.

You have to check things properly, step by step. Here’s how you should do it:

Step 1: Measure the heat before applying the film

Before applying the film, measure the temperature of the walls, glass, and room. This gives you a starting point – without it, you won’t know if the film made a difference.

Also, the building’s location matters – how much sun it gets and what materials it’s made of play a big role in heat absorption.

Step 2: Choosing the right film

Not all films are the same. Picking the wrong one won’t do much. Here’s what you need to consider:

• SHGC (Solar Heat Gain Coefficient) – Lower values (below 0.40 per ASTM E903) mean better heat reduction.
• VLT (Visible Light Transmittance) – Higher values (above 50% per ISO 9050) ensure well-lit interiors.
• Emissivity – Lower emissivity (below 0.20 per NFRC 300) provides better insulation.

Step 3: Data Collection and Testing Methods

Solar film performance can be evaluated through:

• Field Testing – Measures temperature changes in real-world environments.
• Laboratory Testing – Conducted under controlled conditions for precise data.

Monitoring performance over time is key to understanding seasonal variations.

Step 4: Analyzing and Interpreting the Data

After data collection, compare temperature readings before and after installation. Look for unusual temperature shifts that might indicate performance issues.

Best Practices and Common Mistakes in a Thermal Study

When you're working on solar film projects, even tiny mistakes can throw everything off and make it super difficult to see if the film is really doing its job.

As mentioned, if you want to understand its true impact, you've got to be on point with every bit of detail of the process. It can feel overwhelming, but getting it right pays off in the long run.