The purpose of this paper is to validate Kittler-Perez model of classification of sky luminance distribution about the IDMP data in Kyoto Japan. Data were classified by the nearest centroid sorting method on the combination of nine indices of insolation condition. The indices are, 1) cloud ratio, 2) sky clearness index, 3) ratio of zenith luminance to diffuse illuminance, 4) standardized diffuse illuminance, 5) brightness, 6) standardized global illuminance, 7) standardized direct illuminance, 8) permeability, and 9) turbidity.

In modern architecture glazed units have become a component whose diversified and complex functions shall often satisfy conflicting needs. The glazed element must be capable to modulate and control the radiant and luminous flux incoming into a room improving the quality of vision and living suitability. The task of this study is to highlight the limits of standards in evaluating glazing units, pointing the attention on the luminous and colorimetric parameters and their influence on people satisfaction and comfort.

SERRAGLAZE is a breakthrough daylighting system designed to be incorporated into the primary glazing of normal sidelit rooms to save energy and enhance comfort.The paper describes the design, construction and optical properties of the plastic SERRAGLAZE panel, the key component of the system.

The European RTD project REVIS, Daylighting products with redirecting visual properties (contract JOE3- CT98-0096), started in October 1998 and was completed by the end of 2000. The project was coordinated by TNO. The presentation highlights the objectives, means and some of the main results.

The Universal Fibre Optics project which is part funded by the EC 'ENERGIE' programme involves design and construction of a luminaire which allows the integration of daylight and artificial light. Sunlight is captured through a heliostat and brought into the building by means of a liquid fibre optic cable. Remote artificial backup light is added to maintain the flux output of the luminaire at night and when the sun is obstructed by clouds.

In effective use of solar energy and calculation of the heat load of buildings for energy conservation, the actualstate meteorological data are indispensable. It is necessary to propose a sky radiance distribution model, which can correspond to all sky conditions from clear sky to overcast sky. To compose such a model, there should be some index to presume the sky radiance distribution according to the sky condition. In this paper, normalized global irradiance and cloudless index are defined on the basis of measurements as the indices to classify the sky radiance distributions.

The Satel-Light Internet server provides to designers and engineers daylight information which was previously unavailable. It is based on a database of daylight and solar radiation, covering Western and Central Europe, which was produced as part of a European project called SATELLIGHT. This database has been computed from the images produced by the Meteosat satellite. Thus it has an excellent spatial resolution (every 5 km on average) and an excellent temporal resolution (every 30 mn).

The general objective of the Hip-Hip project, partly funded by the EC, is to foster market penetration of GC-PV systems integrated in buildings in Europe by removing technical and non technical barriers as well as developing new PV products for the building industry, through the two PV manufacturers, Photowatt and Shell Solar. The objective, is to reduce PV systems costs through innovative design and better system optimisation. This project is designed to provide platforms for the development of the photovoltaic technology in the countries where the market is still underdeveloped.

High-density residential development is always a challenging and attractive issue, particular in thosecountries have shortage of land for development. Whilst the concepts of sustainability are beingintroduced throughout the world, high-density development is considered to be a feasible option in the future built environment. However, it comes up another issue of how to provide a better livingenvironment and quality of life in high-density development, and how to ensure the development willprovide a sustainable living for local residents.

The energy consumption of consumer electronics is steadily increasing. In the 1992-1996 period its energy consumption has increased by roughly 50%. Along with this, we are observing an intense development of new products along with new functionality getting the best out of the intelligence embedded in products and their communication functions.