Solar Shading Systems

Solar Shading Systems
"One of the key objectives for building designers is to maximise glare-free natural daylight in buildings and minimise solar heat
gain. External solar shading reduces the amount of direct solar heat gain thereby reducing the building's cooling requirements".
Overview
Introduction to solar shading
Products
Solar C
Solarfin
Shadoglass - Glass Louvre
Shadovoltaic - PV Louvre
Bespoke Systems
Projects
World-wide Projects
Related Information
Document L2 (2002)
CPD Approved Presentation
Xscape, Milton
Keynes
There are many external solar shading

systems that can be used to solve your
heat gain or solar glare problem, but
picking the right one is fundamental to
achieve maximum performance especially
now that the Building Regulations
Document L2 states that solar overheating
of a building must not be allowed.
Fixed, controllable, vertical, horizontal,
opaque aluminium or translucent fins are
only the begining of your selection process.
Colt International Limited New Lane Havant Hampshire PO9 2LY

Tel: 023 9245 1111 Fax: 023 9245 4220 Email:info@coltgroup.com
Addison Wesley Longman, UK
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Bespoke fixed solar shading
Background
Addison Wesley Longman Limited is an international publishing company located in Harlow. In the late 1980s it decided that its
existing accommodation was
inadequate and was hindering its potential development. It embarked on a feasibility study in 1988 to review possible solutions
and C D Partnership was appointed to help carry out the study. The initial design brief was minimal and staff were consulted
about the specification for new offices. It was agreed that the new building should create greater communication between staff,
provide an airy and attractive environment, be easy to maintain and cheap to run. 80% of the staff also requested that they
wanted windows that opened -resulting in a requirement for natural ventilation.
The new building was designed by C D Partnership, (formerly known as Conran Roche). The mechanical and electrical
consultants for the project were Cundall Johnston Partnership, London and the project was carried out by Bryant Construction
(Southern) Limited. Colt was employed to provide a bespoke external Solar Shading System. Smoke Control and Controls for
the natural ventilation were also included in the design brief.
The Building
The building was developed on a 2.4ha site which was formerly a dilapidated cycle track. The building spans 16000m 2 and is
constructed in two 13.5m wide blocks separated by three atria. The West block contains six storeys, the East block five.
The Colt Solution
Due to an unpopular and costly air-conditioning system in the previous building, natural ventilation was high on the list of
priorities. Colt designed the actuating mechanism for the windows which provide natural ventilation at the top of the three atria
as well as interfacing with the Colt designed Smoke Control
System. External Solar Shading was supplied to over 200 windows in the form of a specially developed external louvre system,
which was designed in conjunction with the architect. The carefully arranged louvres reduce solar heat gain in the summer
months, as well as acting as light shelves to help the distribution of daylight further into the work place. Colt Seefire natural
ventilators were installed to the stairwells around the building, and in the three glazed atria Colt Liberator powered extract fans
have been installed to provide smoke control in the event of fire. The end result meets the criteria laid down and makes the
new Addison Wesley Longman premises one of the greenest buildings around.

BMW, Germany
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Fixed Solar C and controllable Solarfin

The BMW Education Centre is situated at Dingolfing, Bavaria and was designed by architect Franz Schobner of Landau.
Mainly used for the training of BMW apprentices, a key design criteria was to ensure that occupants would benefit from natural
light and ventilation but not suffer from excessive heat gain or solar glare due to its main south facing faade.
In order to ensure optimum working conditions could be achieved throughout the day Colt was in contact with the architect at
an early stage in the project. This resulted in a design solution incorporating a combination of Azur rooflight systems with
Seefire natural ventilators and fixed Solar C shading louvre which controls solar heat gain and glare. In addition, movable
external Solarfin shading louvres are able to track the path of the sun via Colt s CCS 2000 Control System, ensuring maximum
light entry throughout the day. Over 1000m2 of Colt Solarfin was used.
BRE Building 16, UK
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Controllable Shadoglass
In the spring of 1991, a group of key companies and interested parties, including BRE and Colt, began formulating a
performance specification for the Energy Efficient Office of the Future (EOF) project. The project was launched by BRECSU on
behalf of the Department of the Environment, the objective was to identify new technologies and refinements in existing
practice required to meet energy and environmental targets that will be in place in the early part of the next century, whilst
satisfying the demands of owners and occupiers.
The Building Located at the BREs Garston site, north of Watford, BRE Building 16 is the first Energy Efficient Office of the
Future. The architect for the building was Feilden Clegg Design; the project managers were Bernard Williams and Associates.
One of the EOFs key objectives was to minimise the use of artificial light whilst actively exploiting natural daylight in the
building. As part of the response to the objective, glass louvre was specified. Prior to installation, the Colt glass louvre system
was extensively tested by the University of Westminsters Research In Building Group under both overcast and sunny
conditions.
The Colt Solution

The agreed solution - banks of Colt movable glass louvres installed on the buildings southern faade - was initially intended
purely as a control for solar gain. However, in an extension to the original concept, the Colt glass louvres are also used to
control glare, with the intention that occupants would feel no need to revert to a blinds down, lights on mentality. An
additional and important attraction of the Colt glass louvre system was whilst minimising gain and glare, it still afforded
occupants a view outside. Ensuring that occupants remain connected to the external environment was deemed to be very
important. The glass louvres also represent one of the buildings most striking architectural features. Energy efficiency is only
acceptable when the resultant design leads to a comfortable and healthy working environment, explains the BREs Jason
Happy. The ability to control glare and solar gain, whilst maximising daylight and keeping the occupier in touch with the
external environment certainly should help to achieve that objective.
The Product
Colt Shadoglass glass louvres have been widely specified throughout Europe not only for their daylight provision, solar control
and noise attenuation but also for their aesthetic qualities. They are part of the wider Colt portfolio of daylighting and solar
shading products, which includes roof mounted and structural glazing systems as well as canopies, fixed solar shading and solar
blinds.
Cambourne Business Park, UK
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Fixed Solarfin external solar shading and ventilation louvre with glass entrance canopies

Canon Headquarters, UK
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Fixed Solar C external solar shading and controllable Shadoglass louvres

Daimler Benz , Germany
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Controllable Shadoglass louvres
Background
In the 1920s the Potsdamer Platz was one of the busiest squares in Europe with up to 100,000 people and 20,000 cars using
the Square every day. Four fifths of the development was destroyed during the Second World War, and then the division of
Germany and the building of the Berlin Wall turned the Potsdamer Platz into a no-mans land. By the end of 1998, though, the
district will be thriving again.
In addition to office accommodation, the new Potsdamer Platz will comprise 19 buildings including residential property,
restaurants, cafs, cinemas, theatres, a casino and an hotel. A team of internationally renowned architects, chiefly Paris and
Genoa-based Renzo Piano, have underpinned the Daimler-Benz sponsored development with a commitment to energy
efficiency. This has included the reduction of energy consumption through the optimal use of natural light.
The Building
One of the landmarks of the new Potsdamer Platz will be the 86 metre high corporate headquarters of Daimler-Benz
Interservices, the most striking feature of which is an innovative glass louvre system designed and installed by Colt
International. Colt worked closely with chief architect Renzo Piano during the design phase and received the contract for glass
louvres from German faade builder, Gotz.
Colt Shadoglass louvres at Daimler-Benz
The glass louvres at Daimler-Benz, Berlin have been installed on the south-east and south-west facing faades of the 21-storey
high building, which is located close to the Brandenburg Gate. In addition to providing a striking architectural feature, akin to a
glass curtain, the louvres also provide noise attenuation, wind protection, ventilation in warm weather and insulation for the
building during winter. With the louvres fully closed, the building is protected against prevailing winds and insulated against
Berlins harsh winter conditions. In summer, when the temperature on the glass reaches a pre-set limit, the louvres
automatically open to an angle of 18 degrees. Windows in the building are fitted with tilt and turn mechanisms to enable
occupants to make use of the ventilation, which the open louvres will provide.
In total, the terracotta-clad building has been fitted with almost 5000 individual 16mm transparent glass louvres, each
measuring 1300mm in length and 520mm in height. The louvres are mounted on two-piece aluminium cast pivots, which are
dog-legged to allow the louvres to overlap. The louvres are mounted 500mm away from the building to permit room for a
cleaning and maintenance walkway, which has a toughened glass floor covering. Electric actuators, installed horizontally
beneath the walkways to ensure they remain concealed from view, control the glass louvres. Each actuator connects to a
rotating bar and controls three banks of seven louvres.
The Product
Colt Shadoglass louvres have been widely specified throughout Europe not only for their daylight provision, solar control and
noise attenuation but also for their aesthetic qualities. They are part of the wider Colt portfolio of daylighting and solar control
products, which includes roof mounted and structural glazing systems as well as canopies, fixed solar shading and solar blinds.
DEC , Switzerland
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(Digital Equipment Corporation)

Shadovoltaic Louvre
Colt first introduced the Shadovoltaic Wing concept at the 11th European Photovoltaic Conference in Montreux. Within twelve
months Colt had turned this exciting concept into an installed system. Contact was made with Geneva-based architects
Lecouturier-Caduff who had been handling the renovation of an office building belonging to the Digital Equipment Corporation in
Geneva. The open inner court, with a plan area of 300m2, was to be covered with a freely-spanned steel and glass pyramid.
The decision was taken to use external shading on the pyramid. Links were quickly established with the client and architect,
who had already demonstrated innovation in this field with the construction of a 9.5 kW photovoltaic system on the barrel roof
of the adjacent DEC building. Thus Colt Shadovoltaic was specified. The photovoltaic louvres, which follow the position of the
sun on a single axis movement, automatically provide a shading function. For economy the northern pyramid louvres use
enamelled glass whilst the east, south and west sides are covered with active photovoltaic cells.
The construction is simple and robust. The photovoltaic louvres are assembled on frames which lie on a joint torsion tube
turned by an electric actuator so that they are aligned at right angles to the suns rays. The four sides of the pyramid are
separately controlled according to their orientation by a solar data programme. When required the louvres open fully to allow
the maximum amount of light in.
The renovated building has recently been occupied and the DEC employees are enjoying the new atmosphere, frequently using
the atrium and its adjoining cafeteria as a communication and meeting point.
Feat, Italy
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Shadovoltaic Louvre
Ionica Headquarters , UK
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Bespoke fixed external solar shading and

Solar C internal solar shading
Background
The new 4000 square metre head-quarters of the telecommunications company Ionica was designed by Cambridge based
architects R H Partnership, and completed by Wates Construction. The building is located in the Citys St Johns Innovation Park
which is owned by the college of the same name. Colt Louvre was chosen to provide plant protection and solar shading.
The Building
The building is on three floors and is designed around a 54m long rooflight over the central atrium. Due to the building having
natural ventilation and a large area of glazing on the south elevation solar shading was required externally to reduce solar glare
for the buildings occupants, as well as being used internally under the glazed rooflights.
The Colt Solution

(a) Externally
Colt supplied 75 square metres of single bank Universal Louvre for visual screening of the plant which was installed on the roof.
In addition, two full height towers housing floor by floor plant rooms were fitted with functional, double bank and blanked off
single bank louvres. Louvred access doors were fitted at the base of the towers for the sprinkler and lift monitor rooms.
Colt Louvre was also used externally as solar shading. A double run of white louvre panels with tubular frontages was mounted
horizontally on each floor to give the required protection for solar shading without a large overhang.
(b) Internally
The building was fitted with over 100 square metres of white Colt Sheerline Louvre, designed to reduce sunlight penetration
into the office space under the central rooflights.
Solar C - Profiles
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Shadoglass - Profiles
RETURN TO SHADOGLASS MAIN PAGE
System 1
System 2
System 3
System 4
Please telephone Colt on 023 9245 1111 with your unique requirements.
Bespoke - Profiles
RETURN TO BESPOKE MAIN PAGE

Shadovoltaic - Profiles
RETURN TO SHADOVOLTAIC MAIN PAGE
PROFILES ARE AS SHADOGLASS LOUVRE EXCEPT SYSTEM 2

System 1
System 1 with PV cells

System 3
System 4
Please telephone Colt on 023 9245 1111 with your unique requirements.

Solarfin - Profiles
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SBL Offices, Austria
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Shadovoltaic Louvre
In the UK concern is growing over compliance with Building Regulations Approved Document L2. The Climate Change Levy has
also recently been introduced, leading to greater interest in solar shading and natural ventilation. However, our friends over the
channel seem to be one step ahead. Colt has met a low energy design brief for an office building in Austria by minimising solar
heat gain, maximising the use of natural daylight and, through the application of photovoltaic (PV) technology, ensured the
self-generation of electricity.
Utilising an autonomous moveable solar shading system - Shadovoltaic, Colt has installed self-regulating photovoltaic electricity
generating cells onto the louvre blades. An area of some 250m2 was covered with PV collectors producing 15,900kWh annually.
This amounted to over 40%of the electricity required for the building.
At the same time not only has a comfortable internal working environment been achieved but the aesthetic appeal of the
building has also been enhanced.
The project was supported by a EU Thermie grant,and the system was the first of its kind to be installed on a building in
Austria.
Perhaps the most innovative aspect of the design is the sun-tracking louvre system which is completely autonomous and
powered by a thermo-hydraulic control system.This ensures that the louvres track the movement of the sun during the day
without the need for expensive or complex electro-mechanical control systems.
Each of the 52 different sectors (13 sectors on each of the 4 floors)is linked to a solar absorber which determines the position
of the sun and,in turn, provides the motive force for the actuators via a hydraulic system.
Linz Service GmbHAustria,Photo:Kurt Groh,Linz

Shadoglass - Glass louvre solar

shading
Technical Information
Profiles
Product details
Often specified purely for its aesthetic qualities, Colt shadoglass has
been shown to deliver many energy and psychological benefits.
Literature
Shadoglass
Specification
NBS Specification for Shadoglass
Projects
World-wide projects
Related Information
Document L2 (2002)
BRE, Controllable Glass Louvre System

A Shadoglass system can reduce solar heat gain, lower air conditioning
running costs, lessen glare whilst maximising natural light, and, in some
cases, reduce the level of room heating by acting as a kind of insulating
jacket for the building.
There are 3 standard systems in the Shadoglass range, however
bespoke systems can be designed to suit your exacting requirements.
Colt International Limited New Lane Havant
Hampshire PO9 2LY
Tel: 023 9245 1111 Fax: 023 9245 4220
Email:info@coltgroup.com
Solar C - Fixed solar shading system
Profiles
Product details
Literature
Colt Solar C is a fixed external solar shading

system.
Recommended for all South facing buildings to
help compliance with Building Regulations
Document L2 (2002)
Solar C (1MB)
Specification
NBS Specification for Solar C
Projects
World-wide Projects
Related Information
Document L2 (2002)
Solar C - Fixed external solar shading louvre
Unlike conventional 'Z' shaped blades, which

reduce both direct and diffused light, the Solar
C blade is designed to be particularly effective
at controlling solar heat gain while allowing a
greater proportion of diffused light through the
blade.
Colt International Limited New Lane Havant

Hampshire PO9 2LY
Tel: 023 9245 1111 Fax: 023 9245 4220
Solarfin - Fixed & controllable
Profiles
Product details
Literature
Solarfin (621 KB)
Specification
NBS Specification for Solarfin
Projects
World-wide projects
Related Information
Colt Solarfin is a fixed or controllable external solar shading

system which can hang both vertically and horizontally
infront of the buildings glazing..
Fixed Solarfin is recommend for all South facing buildings
to help compliance with Building Regulations Document L2
(2002)for all other orientations such as South-East or
South-East, Colt would reccommend controllable fins to help
compliance with L2.
Document L2 (2002)
Solarfin - Controllable external solar shading system

Special features include its striking bold appearance and its
capacity to reduce solar heat gain and control the amount of
daylight within a building.
With over 20 standard profiles, fins are available as one
piece extrusions in widths up to 400mm and as multiple clip
together extrusions in widths up to 1050mm.
Tel: 023 9245 1111 Fax: 023 9245 4220
Solar shading - Overview

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Understanding Solar Shading

We can all appreciate the benefits of working in an environment where the temperature is precisely regulated.
For office buildings in the summer, the optimum setting is 24oC, with a narrow range of +/- 4oC.
In many of today's office developments this temperature band can often be exceeded, especially during the
hotter months, due to the solar radiation through glazing. Temperatures as high as 35-40oC have been
recorded. In order to effectively regulate the internal temperature, and better protect the environment through
the design of low energy buildings, the use of natural ventilation and solar shading is becoming increasingly
popular.
Colt offers the architect a wide range of innovative solar shading products to overcome the problems of solar
glare and solar heat gains:
Solar shading systems
Solar C - fixed Solarfin - Controllable fins - Shadoglass - Glass louvres Shadovoltaic - Photovoltaic louvres
Solar Geometry
The sun rises in the East and sets in the West. The sun travels in an arc, reaching its highest altitude in the
South (for Northern hemisphere).
Orange Line - Solar Altitude for 21st December

Yellow Line - Solar Altitude for 21st September
Red Line - Solar Altitude for 21st June
An important consideration as part of the design process (especially to meet with Building Regulations
Approved Document L2, 2002) is to ensure the building is shaded from the sun for as many hours as possible
throughout the whole day, during the course of the entire year. However a balance must be achieved in order
to ensure that the level of natural light entering the building is not unacceptably reduced.
South Facing Facades For a predominately South facing facade, effective solar shading can be achieved
using a fixed horizontal solar shading system such as the Colt Solar C Shading Louvre.

Solar Shading Projects

K
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BMW, Germany
Fixed & controllable
solar shading
BRE Building 16, UK

glass louvres
Cambourne
Business Park, UK
Fixed Solarfin
UTZ, Germany
Semi-controllable
vertical Solarfin
Xscape, UK
Fixed solar shading
Suva Hospital, Switzerland

glass louvres
Daimler Benz , Germany

glass louvres
DEC, Switzerland
Controllable Shadovoltaic
PV louvres
Volkswagen, Germany
glass louvres
Addison Wesley Longman,

UK. Fixed bespoke
solar shading
Feat, Italy
PV louvres
SBL, Austria
PV louvres
Tate Britain , UK
Controllable Solarfin
Winterthur, Germany
PV louvres
Canon HQ , UK
Fixed solar shading
& glass louvres
Ionica HQ , UK

Shadoglass - Specification
Manufacturer:
Colt International Limited
New Lane, Havant, Hampshire. PO9 2LY
Telephone 023 9245 1111
Fax 023 9245 4220
Product Reference :
Shadoglass type: (select from standard range)
System 1, System 2,System 3, or telephone Colt to discuss your
special requirements.
Product Description:
[SELECT] Controllable/fixed external solar shading system,
designed to reduce solar glare and solar heat gain.
Material
All principal components manufactured from aluminium alloy type
3005 (Colterra) and extruded aluminium type 6063H3.
Windload
The louvre system shall be designed to span a Maximum of :
[SELECT] System 1 - 2.5m,
[SELECT] System 3- 1.5m
between mullions and withstand a dynamic wind load of:
[SELECT] System 1 - 1.5kN/m2.
Glass Type
[SELECT] System 1 - 10mm Clear
[SELECT] System 3 - 12mm White
glass with full white frit applied to the underside, to provide a
light
transmission of 23% and a direct solar heat transmission of 21%.
The glass is to be toughened and heat soaked tested. Edges
chamfered and polished.
Blade pitch and angle
Blades are to be at a pitch of:
[SELECT] System 1 - 410mm
and shall move from the vertical to:
[SELECT] System 1 - 10 degrees past the horizontal.
Control of Louvres
Each actuator shall be capable of operating a maximum of 20
louvres.
Motor
240V AC 50Hz IP54 minimum rating.
Inbuilt potentiometer of 0-1000 Ohms to provide feedback of
position to control system.
Bearings
To be maintenance free.
Finish
Polyester Powder Paint
Colt International Limited New Lane Havant Hampshire PO9

2LY
Tel: 023 9245 1111 Fax: 023 9245 4220
Shadovoltaic - Specification
You may cut and paste this specification into your document
for ease of use.
Manufacturer:
Telephone 023 9245 1111
Fax 023 9245 4220
Product Reference :
Shadovoltaic type: (select from standard range)
System 1, System 3, or telephone Colt to discuss your special
requirements.
designed to reduce solar glare and solar heat gain and store solar
energy through photovoltaic cells laminated to the glass.
Material
All principal components manufactured from aluminium alloy type
3005 (Colterra) and extruded aluminium type 6063H3.
Windload
The louvre system shall be designed to span a Maximum of :
[SELECT] System 3- 1.5m
between mullions and withstand a dynamic wind load of:
Glass Type
[SELECT] System 3 - 12mm White
glass with full white frit applied to the underside, to provide a
light
transmission of 23% and a direct solar heat transmission of 21%.
The glass is to be toughened and heat soaked tested. Edges
chamfered and polished.
[SELECT] Photovoltaic cells to be laminated onto the reverse side
of glass louvre or between two sheets of glass.
Blade pitch and angle
Blades are to be at a pitch of:
and shall move from the vertical to:
Control of Louvres
Each actuator shall be capable of operating a maximum of 20
louvres.
Motor
240V AC 50Hz IP54 minimum rating.
Inbuilt potentiometer of 0-1000 Ohms to provide feedback of
position to control system.
Bearings
To be maintenance free.
Finish
Polyester Powder Paint

2LY
Tel: 023 9245 1111 Fax: 023 9245 4220
Solarfin - Specification
for ease of use.
Manufacturer:
Telephone 023 9245 1111
Fax 023 9245 4220
Product Reference :
Solarfin type: (select from standard range)
CEL150/34, CEL200/34, CEL250/40, CEL300/50, CEL350/55,
CEL400/60 and CHL250/40, or telephone Colt to discuss your
special requirements.
designed to reduce solar glare and solar heat gain.
Extruded aluminium fin profiles are designed to prevent or reduce
direct radiation through windows in summer, while keeping
visibility through windows as clear as possible.
Material:
Fins are manufactured from extruded aluminium alloy 6063 T6.
Fixings are from stainless steel.
Blades pitch and angle:
[SELECT] mm @ [SELECT] degrees. (Select angle for a fixed
system only)
Finish :
[SELECT] Mill aluminium/polyester powder to RAL
colour/anodised.
Stainless steel components to be self-finished if applicable.

2LY
Tel: 023 9245 1111 Fax: 023 9245 4220
Suva Hospital , Switzerland
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for ease of use.
Controllable Shadoglass louvres
Background
The Suva insurance company has constructed a striking new hospital, in the Swiss Canton of Valais,to the highest possible
standards. Of particular importance for the design was that views of the surrounding mountains would be as completely
unhindered as possible, whilst summer heat gains would also be kept to a minimum. In this mountain Canton there are great
differences in temperature between day and night,in summer and winter,and the building had to be able to respond to these
changing weather conditions.
Colt Product
Colt has provided 3,400m2 of controllable tinted glass louvre to meet these challenges.The louvre system is completely
automated and responds effectively to changes in the weather. The function of the glass louvre is to regulate the internal
temperature of the building,protecting it from the weather.However,the louvre has additionally enhanced the visual impact of
the building.This has been achieved in dynamic fashion:as the louvre moves up and down the mood of the faade changes.

Tate Britain , UK
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Controllable Solarfin Louvre & Glazing

Solar C - Technical details

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The Solar C Blade

Unlike conventional 'Z' shaped blades, which reduce both direct and diffused light, the Solar C blade is designed to be
particularly effective at controlling solar heat gain while allowing a greater proportion of diffused light through the blade.
Six blade profiles are available varying in width from 100mm to 150mm.
A perforated blade is also available with a width of 110mm.
The pitch between the blades is normally set at 100mm but this can be varied to suit the blade size and angle.
Support Clip
Both a fixed and an adjustable clip are available. The variable clip allows complete flexibility of louvre and rafter angle. For
visual and thermal performance the louvre angle can be changed on the rafter. The patent variable louvre clip is adjustable in
increments of 15 degrees. The action of attaching the louvre blade fixes the angle.
Fixed angle clips are also available in 30, 45, 60 and 135 degrees. Clips are available in either grey or translucent. The plastic
clip allows for thermal expansion of the blade and ensures a rattle free fixing.
Support Rafters
Five basic rafter designs are available. Their use depends on the fixing method and the loadings on the structure. For any
projections less than 1m the rafter can be cantilevered from the building structure, assuming the windload is not excessive.
Maintenance walkways with kick plate and hand rails can be attached to the rafter to enable access for cleaning.
Panellised System
The Solar C is normally a continuous louvre system either mounted above or below fixed rafters projecting from the building.
This will provide uniform light entry to the building. If a panellised system is preferred, then this is available with profiled end
plates which can make a prominent feature to a building.
Installation
The installation should be carried out by Colt trained installers. With the continuous form system, the louvres are sent out in
breakdown for on site assembly.
An adjustment in the louvre system can accommodate building tolerances of 10mm +-.
Particular attention is required to suitable fixing locations and the structural integrity of the fixing material. This should be
considered at the early stages of the project.

Shadoglass - Technical details

Shadoglass is the latest addition to the Colt portfolio of Solar Architecture products and is available in the three discrete
standard designs shown AND can also be designed and configured to meet your specific project requirements.Glass Louvre
combines practical solar control and stunning aesthetics to offer building designers a distinctive architectural building
product,ideally suited to modern low energy buildings.
Glass Louvre systems are electrically operated by linear actuators and will meet applications from small individual windows
through to complete facades with equal ease.The glass panels are available in various colours,surface finishes and coatings to
meet specific design requirements and the inclusion of photovoltaic cells enables clients to obtain further energy benefits.
General Description
The Glass Louvre solar control system is an electrically operated building facade product available in a variety of configurations
to suit your particular project requirements.
The Glass Louvre s principal support and control components are manufactured from aluminium and stainless steel. Aluminium
extrusions are to BS 1474 Grade 6063 T6.
Glass Panels
The panels used in the Glass Louvre system are toughened glass with the edges treated to remove stress and heat soak
tested.The glass thickness can be 8mm min to 16mm max. The glass specification will be tailored to suit each application,taking
full account of the project s aesthetic and performance requirements.
Photovoltaic Cells
As an option for the Glass Louvre system,photovoltaic cells can be included,either laminated onto the reverse side of the glass
panel or between the two sheets of a safety glass.
Product Options
Three standard product systems are available:
System 1 Intended for wider spans,System 1 incorporates a central aluminium torsion tube along the length of the louvre,and
is ideal for continuous facades, as well as a roof or atrium covering system.System 1 is suitable for carrying photovoltaic cells.
System 2 Primarily intended for smaller window applications or where frequent anchor points are available,System 2 provides
minimum obstruction to the glass area,thereby maximising daylighting and viewing opportunities.System 2 is not suitable for
carrying photovoltaic cells.
System 3 Intended for large areas with electric actuators installed horizontally.Each actuator connects to a rotating bar and
controls three banks of seven louvres.Louvres are mounted on two-piece aluminium cast pivots which are dog-legged to allow
the louvres to overlap thus providing noise attenuation,wind protection,ventilation in warm weather and insulation for the
building during winter.
System 4? Specially designed in collaboration with you to meet your specific project requirement.
Electric Actuator
A single linear actuator for each bank of louvres operates the Glass Louvre system at 220-240v 1ph 50 HZ.The actuator is rated
at IP55 protection class.
Shadoglass - Technical details

Shadovoltaic is an addition to the Colt Shadoglass solar shading range.
Shadovoltaic Louvre systems are electrically operated by linear actuators and will meet applications from small individual
windows through to complete facades with equal ease. The glass panels are available in various colours,surface finishes and
coatings to meet specific design requirements and with the inclusion of photovoltaic cells enables clients to obtain further
energy benefits.
General Description
The Shadovoltaic system is an electrically operated building facade product available in a variety of configurations to suit your
particular project requirements.
The Glass Louvre s principal support and control components are manufactured from aluminium and stainless steel. Aluminium
extrusions are to BS 1474 Grade 6063 T6.
Glass Panels
The panels used in the Shadovoltaic system are toughened glass with the edges treated to remove stress and heat soak tested.
The glass thickness can be 8mm min to 16mm max. The glass specification will be tailored to suit each application,taking full
account of the project s aesthetic and performance requirements.
Photovoltaic Cells
Photovoltaic cells can be either laminated onto the reverse side of the glass panel or between the two sheets of a safety glass.
Product Options
Three standard product systems are available:
System 1 Intended for wider spans,System 1 incorporates a central aluminium torsion tube along the length of the louvre,and
is ideal for continuous facades, as well as a roof or atrium covering system.
System 3 Intended for large areas with electric actuators installed horizontally. Each actuator connects to a rotating bar and
controls three banks of seven louvres. Louvres are mounted on two-piece aluminium cast pivots which are dog-legged to allow
the louvres to overlap thus providing noise attenuation,wind protection, ventilation in warm weather and insulation for the
building during winter.
System 4? Specially designed in collaboration with you to meet your specific project requirement.
Electric Actuator
A single linear actuator for each bank of louvres operates the Glass Louvre system at 220-240v 1ph 50 HZ.The actuator is rated
at IP55 protection class.

Solarfin - Technical details

Controllable Fins
A fixed solar shading system may only truly be effective on a south facing building. Although aesthetics play an important part
within the overall design to enhance the building s appearance, greater functionality must be taken into consideration to meet
with Approved Document L2.
Controllable fins,unlike fixed,can hang vertically in front of a window and still optimise solar shading and visibility thanks to
specially written computer software which controls the louvres to follow the path of the sun. This reduces the likelihood of
overshading or undershading that frequently happens with fixed solar shading, and will result in the optimum shading angle
(see below).
Optimum Shading Angle

On dull days,light sensors operate to fully open the fins to allow the occupants maximum vision to the outside at all times.
Controllable solar shading is also effective when fitted to glazed rooflights.
Actuator controlling the fins

Colt Solarfin is a vertical or horizontal system that can be fitted at any angle. Special features include its striking bold
appearance and its capacity to reduce solar heat gain and to control the amount of daylight within a building.
An additional benefit is that when closed,solarfin provides substantial security and can help winter heat loss.
The Colt Solarfin system comprises a series of extruded aluminium fins mounted into a support frame.The fins may be fixed at
any angle and can rotate under motorised control. Fins are available as one piece extrusions in widths up to 400 mm and as
multiple clip together extrusions in widths up to 1050 mm. Spans can be up to 6m without intermediate support and up to 10m
with intermediate bracing rods. Fabricated and perforated fins are also available.
Colt has a wide ange of standard profiles but bespoke profiles and designs can be developed on larger projects.
All principal components are manufactured from extruded aluminium alloy type 6063 T6 with stainless steel fixings. Controllable
fins can pivot through 120 degrees and can be controlled by astronomical data operating the actuators to track the path of the
sun.
Sunfax
Sunfax is a specially designed computer program that evaluates the effectiveness of a solar shading system.With this program
Colt can assess a system design and provide a bespoke solution to meet all aspects of your project. Backed by an experienced
technical support team,Colt can work from the earliest stages of your project to design an aesthetic,high performance system
to meet all budgets.
Tate Britain- Roof mounted controllable Solarfin

UTZ Offices , Germany
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Combined Solar C and semi-controllable Solarfin
The desire to create low energy buildings is an increasingly important aspect in many of today s construction projects. Helping
to meet this objective Colt has designed,manufactured and installed a comprehensive solar shading system,which includes the
use of photovoltaic technology,at UTZ Berlin,an Innovation Centre for Environmental Technology.
The building,which spans some 40,000m2 ,incorporates an entrance zone with reception, demonstration area,cafeteria and
conference hall as well as an adjacent complex for visitors, offices and laboratories.
Two key objectives were at the heart of the project: to ensure the building would have a low energy requirement and also that
any negative impact on the surrounding landscape would be kept to a minimum. In order to meet this objective a sophisticated
solar shading system was specified. For the South West faade this involved the installation of combined fixed horizontal and
vertical solar shading. Both systems have been designed to complement each other:as the sun moves and one system loses its
effectiveness the other takes over. Additionally,it is possible to manually alter the vertical elements,which improves internal
lighting.
Photovoltaic elements have been installed on the faade of the entrance hall which,at the same time,shades the glass faade
behind it. This system is able to produce an output of approximately 15kW, resulting in an annual energy source of 7,500kW.

VW AutoCity , Germany
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Shadoglass louvre, natural ventilation and glazing
When the Volkswagen Audi Group (VAG) embarked on an ambitious project to build a new ulti-media Auto City (Autostadt) at
their Wolfsburg facility,the company was keen to portray an image that was open and customer-oriented. This led to the
specification of a predominately glazed faade.VAG turned to Colt to provide an innovative solar shading system,smoke
ventilation and daylighting system.
The Auto City occupies a 25-hectare site between Berlin and Hanover and is an adventure centre -the only such project of its
kind worldwide.Visitors can experience a wide variety of attractions related to cars and mobility,with an emphasis on four core
principles:safety,quality,social competence and environmental awareness. The state of the art buildings include a pavilion for
each of the brands manufactured under the Group umbrella: VW,Audi,Lamborghini,Bentley,Rolls Royce,Seat and Skoda.
In order to help create an image that was open and welcoming the project s architect (HENN Architekten Ingenieure
Munchen)used glass faades,rooflights,
glass towers and open portals. At the Customer Centre in the East of the City, Colt s Shadoglass system was specified, with in
excess of 100 glass louvres fitted to the round structure of the building. Installed on the faade,the louvres are designed to
track the rays of the sun providing solar protection whilst maximising daylight entry and climate optimisation. By absorbing and
reflecting the suns rays Shadoglass louvres are able to reduce the burden placed upon ventilation and air conditioning
systems.In the winter months the louvres are positioned to maximise passive solar energy resulting in reduced heating
costs.The sun tracking automatic louvre control maximises daylight levels in the building and at the same time reduces the
need for artificial lighting.
Safety was also a key priority and Colt designed a natural smoke ventilation scheme.Glazed flap ventilators are controlled by air
pressure so that in the event of a fire all units can be opened. Additionally,as well as being able to provide effective smoke
ventilation,the dual purpose system is also being used as a natural day-to-day ventilation scheme.
Colt also installed a Cosmotron rooflight system,enabling work areas,foyers, entrance halls and eeting places to benefit from
natural daylight.
Winterthur - Switzerland
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Background
In a world of decreasing natural resources and rapidly changing technology, we saw it as a duty to join the search for optimal
energy solutions in buildings. Commercial and environmental concerns were carefully balanced in the specification for our new
Schoental Works Yard building, which was designed to be both architecturally and ecologically in tune with a differentiated
energy supply and represents a real showcase of modern technologies. So says S. Sigrist, Energy Services Manager at the
Municipal Works in Winterthur, Switzerland.
The Building
External shading had already been included in the initial plans for the South East faade to protect against solar heat gain and
maximise natural light. However, the Municipal Authorities and architect Theo Hotz of Zurich were convinced that the shading
panels could also be used to produce renewable energy. A feasibility study prior to final specification supported their view that
conditions were ideal for the photovoltaic production of electricity. Consequently, the municipal, canton and federal authorities
gave the green light for the financing of the project so that today electricity is produced by solar panels on a daily basis.
The Colt Solution
The Colt glass louvre system at the Municipal Works, Winterthur was designed to meet the dual-purpose objectives of solar
control and solar energy and has been operational since the end of August 1996. The glass louvres are mounted in front of the
building fenestration and cover an area 144 metres long by 8 metres high and incorporate photovoltaic cells on the external
faces to give a total solar panel area of 320 square metres. An automatic control system ensures that the glass louvres pivot to
track the Suns movement and guarantee optimal protection against solar heat gain and glare, whilst at the same time
providing the best possible opportunities for generation of electricity.
Early recorded data was extremely encouraging. For instance, on 9th September, a sunny day with some cloud, 156
kilowatts/hour of electrical energy was produce d during the midday period - almost a third of the buildings electricity
requirements. In bright sunlight the photovoltaic cells will
provide a maximum output power of 47kW to the power network.
The Product
Colt glass louvres have been widely specified throughout Europe not only for their daylight provision, solar control and noise
attenuation but also for their aesthetic qualities. They are part of the wider Colt portfolio of daylighting and solar control
products, which includes roof mounted and structural glazing systems as well as canopies, fixed solar shading and solar blinds.

Xscape Leisure Park, UK
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Fixed Solar C


Solar Shading Systems

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Solar Shading Systems

There are many external solar shading

Colt International Limited New Lane Havant Hampshire PO9 2LY

Addison Wesley Longman, UK

Bespoke fixed solar shading

Colt International Limited New Lane Havant Hampshire PO9 2LY

Fixed Solar C and controllable Solarfin

BRE Building 16, UK

The Colt Solution

Cambourne Business Park, UK

Colt International Limited New Lane Havant Hampshire PO9 2LY

Fixed Solar C external solar shading and controllable Shadoglass louvres

Colt International Limited New Lane Havant Hampshire PO9 2LY

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Controllable Shadoglass louvres

(Digital Equipment Corporation)

Bespoke fixed external solar shading and

The Colt Solution

Colt International Limited New Lane Havant Hampshire PO9 2LY

PROFILES ARE AS SHADOGLASS LOUVRE EXCEPT SYSTEM 2

System 1 with PV cells

Colt International Limited New Lane Havant Hampshire PO9 2LY

Colt International Limited New Lane Havant Hampshire PO9 2LY

SBL Offices, Austria

Linz Service GmbHAustria,Photo:Kurt Groh,Linz

Colt International Limited New Lane Havant Hampshire PO9 2LY

Shadoglass - Glass louvre solar

BRE, Controllable Glass Louvre System

Solar C - Fixed solar shading system

Colt Solar C is a fixed external solar shading

Solar C - Fixed external solar shading louvre

Unlike conventional 'Z' shaped blades, which

Colt International Limited New Lane Havant

Solarfin - Fixed & controllable

Colt Solarfin is a fixed or controllable external solar shading

Solarfin - Controllable external solar shading system

Solar shading - Overview

Understanding Solar Shading

Orange Line - Solar Altitude for 21st December

Colt International Limited New Lane Havant Hampshire PO9 2LY

Solar Shading Projects

BRE Building 16, UK

Suva Hospital, Switzerland

Daimler Benz , Germany

Addison Wesley Longman,

Colt International Limited New Lane Havant Hampshire PO9 2LY

Colt International Limited New Lane Havant Hampshire PO9

Colt International Limited New Lane Havant Hampshire PO9

RETURN TO SOLARFIN MAIN PAGE

Colt International Limited New Lane Havant Hampshire PO9

Suva Hospital , Switzerland

Controllable Shadoglass louvres

Colt International Limited New Lane Havant Hampshire PO9 2LY

Controllable Solarfin Louvre & Glazing

Colt International Limited New Lane Havant Hampshire PO9 2LY

Solar C - Technical details

The Solar C Blade

Colt International Limited New Lane Havant Hampshire PO9 2LY

Shadoglass - Technical details

Shadoglass - Technical details

Shadovoltaic is an addition to the Colt Shadoglass solar shading range.

Colt International Limited New Lane Havant Hampshire PO9 2LY

Solarfin - Technical details

Optimum Shading Angle