Colt's Faade Shading with Passive Control

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Buildings with large expanses of glazing can suffer dramatic cooling energy requirements and create glare problems for occupants. Façade shading systems can make significant contributions toward correcting these difficulties in new construction or retrofits. Colt International’s Solarfin line of controllable shading louvers for exterior façades is available in over 20 standard profiles with a range of polyester-powder color finishes. The system of typically hollow, elliptical, single-piece, extruded aluminum fins can be up to 15” deep (400 mm), or clipped together up to 41” (1050 mm), and installed horizontally or vertically. Unsupported spans of almost 20’ (6 m)—or, with bracing, spans of over 32’ (10 m)—are possible. The fins, when linked to a control system, can pivot up to 120 degrees to follow the sun’s path, optimizing daylighting and minimizing heat gain. If desired, the fins can be installed at fixed angles. The system’s fittings are stainless steel.

While a number of automated controls for the Solarfin line are offered, a simple, nonelectric alternative is the Girasol passive thermo-hydraulic drive.

Girasol, Italian for “sunflower,” was developed by Colt’s research partner, the Center for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research. Using differential temperatures based on solar exposure, the Girasol system consists of two mirrored evaporator tubes attached to the top and bottom of a single louver fin, which then acts as a drive unit for multiple fins.