Computer Modeling of Daylight-Integrated Photocontrol of Electric Lighting Systems

Abstract

This article presents a variety of different approaches to both model and assess the performance of daylight-integrated electric lighting control systems. In these systems, the output of a controlled lighting zone is based on a light sensor reading and a calibrated control algorithm. Computer simulations can consider the simulated illuminance data generated from both the electric lighting system and a daylight delivery system whose performance is addressed using typical meteorological year (TMY) weather data. Photosensor signals and the operation of a control system’s dimming algorithms are also included. Methods and metrics for evaluating simulated performance for the purpose of making informed design decisions that lead to the best possible installed system performance are presented.

Keywords

• daylight
• daylighting
• photosensors
• photocontrol
• daylight-integrated photocontrol
• daylight modeling
• electric lighting control