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

The employment of electrochromic glazing can be a solution to balance circadian lighting and avoid glare. This can be achieved by controlling daylight entering the room and may be useful within the context of highly glazed facades in buildings in hot climates. Nevertheless, the use of this technology is rarely discussed in this context. In this regard, the aim of this study is to investigate the electrochromic glazing for the lighting conditions, including visual and non-visual effects within the luminous context of Brasilia, Brazil. The method consisted of computer simulations of a representative highly glazed non-residential room with the comparison of electrochromic glazing and conventional clear glass. Climate Studio was used to evaluate the visual effects of light for the entire year, and ALFA for the evaluation of melanopic daylight illuminance, vertical illuminance, and melanopic daylight efficacy ratio (mel-DER) in four days, including two solstices and two equinoxes encompassing the beginning of the four seasons. Results for the electrochromic glazing showed a better balance between a minimum threshold of 250 lux of mel-EDI without exceeding 1,500 lux of vertical illuminance in comparison with the clear glass. This was achieved in 33.33% of the hours for the north, against 27.78% of the hours for the east, 29.17% for the west, and 24.72% for the south. For the clear glass, this balance was achieved in only 9.17% of the hours for north, 10.28% for east, 12.22% for west, and 15% for south. Regarding the spectrum, higher results of melanopic daylight efficacy ratio were observed for the clear glass over the four simulated days. The main conclusion was that the electrochromic glazing was capable of providing a better balance between visual and non-visual requirements and can be a suitable solution for highly glazed facades in Brasilia. Nevertheless, particularly for the north orientation, the supply of circadian lighting can be jeopardized when the electrochromic glazing remained at the dark state.