Watt Reduction Factor results on a shaded facade
Solar & Outdoor

Quantify shading effectiveness

The Watt Reduction Factor (WRF) measures how much a shading device or nearby obstruction reduces incident solar energy on a surface relative to an unobstructed reference case. A WRF of 0% means no shading; 100% means total blockage.

WRF normalises the result by local climate, giving a meaningful comparison across projects and climates. It is particularly useful for comparing shading strategies and optimising facade design for energy performance.

  • Ratio of obstructed to unobstructed solar irradiation
  • Climate-normalised result for cross-project comparison
  • Compare shading devices, overhangs, and fins
  • Useful for facade optimisation and energy performance targets
  • Works on any surface including glazing and opaque panels
Reduction factor visualised on model

Reduction factor visualised on model

WRF results report

WRF results report

Frequently asked questions

What is this metric?

To be developed.

How does DL-Light compute it?

To be developed.

What thresholds or standards apply?

To be developed.

Going further

Read the full DL-Light user-guide reference for Watt Reduction Factor: Windows guide · macOS guide.

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