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Do both OpenStudio Zones and Spaces need to be Convex

From the Energyplus input-output documentation, it is stated that zones should be convex for the solar radiation calculations to work correctly. But then this question mentions in its answer that the spaces need to be convex, but that one zone can include both spaces. Wouldn't this mean that the zone is non-convex? Or does the EPlus IO documentation refer to spaces not zones? Or is this just some OpenStudio terminology I am getting confused on?

IanVG's avatar
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IanVG
asked 2023-07-10 22:55:06 -0500
Aaron Boranian's avatar
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Aaron Boranian
updated 2023-07-13 14:35:50 -0500
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1 Answer

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You can simulate non-convex zones, but the solar distribution algorithm should be Minimal Shadowing, Full Exterior or FullExteriorWithReflections. These models are accurate enough if you don't have interior windows that receive beam solar radiation.

mapascual's avatar
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mapascual
answered 2023-07-11 02:47:27 -0500
Julien Marrec's avatar
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Julien Marrec
updated 2023-07-14 08:47:54 -0500
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Awesome! Thanks for the answer. I was nosing around the Energyplus Github, to learn more about the solar distribution algorithm. Is there any motivation/discussion (to your knowledge) to allow the solar distribution algorithm to calculate non-convex zones? I didn't see anything in the 'Issues' section.

IanVG's avatar IanVG (2023-07-16 09:29:56 -0500) edit
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