The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) has examined the influence of various types of roof glazing units on a typical industrial building’s interior heat buildup and brightness. ISE’s study compared PLEXIGLAS HEATSTOP® with different combinations of double acrylic-glass panels.

The number of skylights (openings in a building’s roof) was the pivotal factor in this investigation. Skylights admit light and thermal energy into buildings. Comparing combinations of materials (such as white/clear with PLEXIGLAS HEATSTOP®/clear) is meaningful only if light conditions in a building are identical. A relevant standard specifies that the daylight factor (ratio of indoor illuminance to outdoor illuminance) be at least 4 percent. ISE used this standard value in its study.
Because the combination of PLEXIGLAS HEATSTOP®/clear is less transparent than a white/clear skylight, artificial lighting must compensate for the difference in daylight.

Simulations took into account the variables of temperature and light concerning various climatic zones and different light conditions (cloudy, overcast, sunny, etc.).

The study’s findings can be summarized easily:

• roof glazing units with PLEXIGLAS HEATSTOP® reduce cooling-energy consumption in typical industrial buildings. This can result in cooling-energy savings of 15 to 30 percent in climatic zones such as the Mediterranean — and in even warmer climates.
• All told, PLEXIGLAS HEATSTOP® offers an energy-saving potential in every climatic zone.
• Cooling-energy savings as high as 30 percent are possible in Central Europe’s climate.
• And in warmer climates, roof glazing with PLEXIGLAS HEATSTOP® offers truly remarkable energy benefits. In fact, roof glazing with PLEXIGLAS HEATSTOP® can considerably reduce energy consumption for cooling by up to 20 percent in such climatic zones.