Solar radiation modelling in a complex enclosure

For a complex enclosure, possibly containing an occupant or furniture, the authors have developed a zone thermal simulation model within the TRNSYS simulation programme that is able to take into account local characteristics of the different solar contributions. This new model has been validated by comparing its results to experimental measurements for several cases. For a given sunny day, different types of results can be determined. One of them corresponds to a cartography of surface temperatures that indicates local overheating on the ground surface receiving the direct solar beam. Then, the knowledge of solar patches in the enclosure allows the authors to calculate the dynamic distribution of solar fluxes onto a person not directly struck by the direct beam.