We’re still finding ways to take full advantage of daylight’s benefits. It’s a challenging issue, leaving daylight in an uneasy battle with electric light for brightening our spaces – ignored or underrated in lighting designs, and poorly controlled to boot. Fortunately, this is starting to change. Along with the growing awareness of the WELL, LEED, and BREEAM building standards — which incorporate a variety of recommendations for daylight exposure and control — and acceptance of building codes that support more use of daylight harvesting, there’s a greater incentive to embrace daylight as part of the overall lighting design of a space.


ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR Publishes Article on Daylight Harvesting Guide
In 2018, the California Lighting Technology Center (CLTC) published “Daylight Harvesting for Commercial Buildings Guide,” a best practices guide to designing daylight harvesting systems. While focused on compliance with California’s tough energy code, the information has broad application.

Synapse Publishes Guidance on Daylight Harvesting
Synapse recently published an online article providing guidance on how to implement daylight harvesting control strategies.

Daylight Harvesting Guidance
In August 2018, the California Lighting Technology Center (CLTC) published a best practices guide for designing daylight harvesting lighting control systems. Titled Daylight Harvesting for Commercial Buildings Guide, it focuses on compliance with California’s Title 24 energy code, though it has broad application.

CLTC Publishes Best Practice Guide for Daylight Harvesting
The California Lighting Technology Center recently announced publication of the Daylight Harvesting for Commercial Buildings Guide, which provides guidance towards meeting and exceeding California’s Building Energy Efficiency Standards for daylight harvesting.

Illuminating Engineering Society Publishes LEM-7 Guide to Energy-Saving Lighting Controls
The Illuminating Engineering Society, in partnership with the Lighting Controls Association, has published LEM-7, Lighting Controls for Energy Management, a detailed guide to energy-saving lighting controls. The publication was written by Craig DiLouie, LC in support of the IES Energy Management Committee. The 48-page 8.5×11 guide, which is available for $35 (IES members) and $50 […]

Daylight Harvesting: Comparing Modeled to Measured Savings
In a recent study, the Energy Center of Wisconsin monitored several daylighting systems in Minnesota and Wisconsin and analyzed the results of commissioning those systems. The researchers concluded: “Energy modeling, with its assumption of ideal control, appears to have the potential of being an accurate predictive tool for highly effective (>75%) control systems. However, the […]

Study Finds Commissioning of Daylight Harvesting Control Systems Critical to Success
Daylight harvesting control, or the practice of using light sensors to automatically reduce electric light in a space when sufficient daylight is present, has been demonstrated to produce significant energy cost savings in buildings. As a proven energy-saving strategy, it has been implemented into many sustainable building projects. It was also incorporated into ASHRAE/IES 90.1-2010 […]

Energy Center of Wisconsin Offers Webcast on Daylight Harvesting
In this webinar, Energy Center of Wisconsin experts discuss their research findings from monitoring and commissioning several daylighting control systems in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Field performance results are shared and guidelines for successful execution, startup and commissioning of these systems are addressed. Check it out here.

Energy Center of Wisconsin to Present Webinar on Daylight Harvesting Control on February 28, 2013
The Daylighting Collaborative at the Energy Center of Wisconsin has announced a free webinar, “Implementation of Successful Daylighting Control Systems,” which will be held Thursday, February 28, 2013, from 1–2:30 PM Central. The webinar will be presented by Scott Schuetter, PE, LEED AP BD+C and Scott Hackel, PE, LEED AP, Senior Energy Engineers at the […]