Electrochromic Glazing and Evaluation of Visual and Non-Visual Effects of Daylight: Simulation Studies for Brasilia – Brazil

Electrochromic glazing offers a promising solution for balancing circadian lighting and glare reduction, particularly in highly glazed buildings in hot climates. A study simulating conditions in Brasília, Brazil, found that electrochromic glazing achieved a better balance between visual comfort (vertical illuminance ≤ 1,500 lux) and non-visual requirements (melanopic daylight illuminance ≥ 250 lux) for 33.33% of hours facing north, compared to just 9.17% with clear glass. While clear glass performed better in terms of melanopic daylight efficacy ratio, electrochromic glazing provided more stable and comfortable lighting conditions across seasons. The research used Climate Studio and ALFA simulations over a full year and four key days (solstices and equinoxes) to evaluate these effects, highlighting the potential for electrochromic technology to improve visual and non-visual daylight performance in tropical urban environments like Brasília.

Costa, J. F. W., Amorim, C. N. D., Silva, J. C. R.,. (2024). Electrochromic Glazing and Evaluation of Visual and Non-Visual Effects of Daylight: Simulation Studies for Brasilia – Brazil. Journal of Daylighting, 11(1), 1–22. https://doi.org/10.15627/jd.2024.1