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Energy & Sustainability

Daylight & Sunlight Assessments

Daylighting and sunlight assessments are requirements for certain planning applications, BREEAM, and sustainability assessments. They determine the available natural daylight to enter the proposed development and surrounding buildings.

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Energy & Sustainability ADF, VSC, NSL and APSH calculations BRE daylight and sunlight assessment methodology Dynamic simulation modelling using IES and Designbuilder Planning and BREEAM compliance reporting

What Are Daylight Assessments?

Daylight assessments dynamically model the proposed development to assess the availability of natural light within proposed rooms. Access to natural light reduces energy and carbon usage and improves the quality of the internal environment. A number of planning authorities will request a daylight and sunlight assessment to ensure the development meets minimum standards.

Assessment Methods and Standards

  • Average Daylight Factor (ADF) — assessing habitable room daylight levels
  • Vertical Sky Component (VSC) — assessing loss of light to existing windows
  • No Sky Line (NSL) — assessing the distribution of daylight within rooms
  • Annual Probable Sunlight Hours (APSH) — assessing sunlight access
  • BRE guidelines (Site Layout Planning for Daylight and Sunlight)
  • BREEAM Hea01 — Health and Wellbeing credits

When Is a Daylight Assessment Required?

  • Planning applications in sensitive locations or adjacent to existing buildings
  • Major development proposals requiring an Environmental Impact Assessment
  • BREEAM or LEED certification targeting Health and Wellbeing credits
  • Residential developments where natural light amenity must be demonstrated