Daylight harvesting control systems design recommendations based on a literature review

In indoor spaces, lighting control systems are highly effective to reduce electric lighting use. Daylight harvesting systems (DHS) promise to deliver the greatest energy savings. This article presents a review about DHS based on recent scientific and technical literature. The review shows that the energy saving potential of DHS lies between 20-60% in comparison with non-dimmed installations. However, many studies outline serious limitations of these systems such as e.g. limited user acceptance. The review suggests that, during the design and commissioning of a DHS, the following aspects deserve attention: technical robustness, architectural integration and human acceptance. The review concludes that, while further research in the technical area is still needed, the architectural and human aspects have been so far insufficiently studied. The review emphasizes that competent designers and installers, as well as post-commissioning are mandatory to ensure the success of DHS installations.