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How to Calculate the Amount of Solar Heat Gain in the Lab

Calculating the amount of solar heat gain is an important consideration in a variety of lab experiments related to renewable energy as well as endothermic and exothermic reactions. The ability to identify and measure components of solar heat gain requires practice and concentration; however, the formula allows scientists to be reasonably certain their calculations are correct once they know their measurements are accurate. These calculations provide valuable information regarding a variable that affects the outcome of an experiment so scientists can consider the solar heat gain factor in the data gathered.

Things You'll Need

Thermometer
Pencil
Paper
Calculator

Instructions

- 1
  Identify the items in the lab that affect the solar heat gain coefficient. These include windows, doors that let in sunlight, bug screens, awnings and blinds or skylights. List all the components on a sheet of paper.
- 2
  Consult a manual listing the solar heat gain coefficient of each exterior shade component identified in the previous step. Awnings or blinds offer the smallest coefficient of 0.1 while skylights provide the maximum coefficient of 1.00.
- 3
  Determine whether your windows are single or double-pane and consult a fenestration guide to determine the solar heat gain coefficient of your window panes. Multiply the coefficient by the number of windows in the lab.
- 4
  Examine the coefficient of the fenestrations and the coefficient of the exterior shade. Multiply the larger coefficient by 0.2875 and add 0.75 to the product. This accounts for the margin of error created by window panes with differing tints and number of hours the lab is exposed to direct sunlight.
- 5
  Multiply the answer in the previous problem by the smaller coefficient to calculate the total solar heat gain in the lab.

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